Father among 3 detained as Police continue search for missing 6-year-old

 …grandmother holds out hope for grandson›s safe return

The father of missing six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran is among three persons detained by Police as investigators continue searching for the child, who reportedly disappeared from his home at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), on Wednesday, October 14.

 Orlando, the youngest of four children, was reportedly discovered missing on Wednesday morning after going to bed the previous night. Despite searches at several locations, including surrounding backlands, Police have been unable to locate him.
In a statement, the Guyana Police Force confirmed that three persons were in custody as investigations continued into the child’s disappearance.
According to Police, ranks from Regional Division Five conducted searches at several locations in the Bath area on Friday, October 16, including surrounding backlands, but those efforts proved unsuccessful.
The child’s paternal grandmother, 65-year-old Dhankumarie Gowkarran, also known as Shanti, confirmed that her son, Orlando’s father, is among those detained.
Speaking during an interview on Saturday, Gowkarran recounted how she learned of her grandson’s disappearance after receiving a telephone call from her son on Wednesday morning.
She said her son informed her that the children had gone to bed on Tuesday night, but when they awoke the following morning, Orlando was nowhere to be found.
According to Gowkarran, her son subsequently went to the Police station and reported the child missing.
The grandmother said she had questioned her son about whether he had done anything to Orlando following the child›s disappearance.
She recalled that he denied harming the boy, maintaining that he loved his children and was responsible for their care.

According to Gowkarran, her son told her that he cooked for the children, ensured they attended school, and attended to their daily needs.
However, she acknowledged hearing various allegations concerning her son›s possible involvement in the disappearance.
“I heard all kinds of things; the father did this, the father did that. I didn’t believe,” she said.
Gowkarran said the uncertainty surrounding her grandson’s disappearance and her son’s detention had left her relying on her faith.
“I left my trust to God,” she declared.
Despite the circumstances, she expressed hope that Orlando would be found alive and returned safely to his family.
Meanwhile, the grandmother explained that Orlando lived with his father and two older brothers, aged seven and 10, while the eldest of the four siblings, aged 11, resides with her. Gowkarran recalled that the children attended school regularly and would sometimes visit her home, where she provided them with food before sending them back to their father’s residence.
She said her son worked planting cane at the estate and had been responsible for the daily care of the three younger children since separating from their mother approximately two years ago. Differing accounts have emerged concerning the circumstances that led to the separation of Orlando’s parents.
Persons in the Bath Settlement community who spoke with this publication alleged that the children›s mother ended the relationship because she had been subjected to physical abuse by their father.
Gowkarran, however, provided a different account, alleging that the relationship ended after her son discovered that his partner had been unfaithful.
She claimed that following the separation, she encouraged the children›s mother to take responsibility for two of the children while her son cared for the other two.
According to Gowkarran, the mother declined the arrangement, leaving her son to continue caring for the children.
Neither account of the separation has been independently established, and there is no confirmed connection between the allegations and Orlando›s disappearance. The mother›s response to the allegations has not been obtained.
While Police have confirmed that three persons are in custody, the official statement did not identify those detained or disclose the circumstances surrounding their detention.
Meanwhile, a public appeal associated with Bath Primary School has urged anyone who may have seen Orlando or has information concerning his whereabouts to come forward.
Persons with information that could assist in locating the missing child can contact 720-5228.
Police have indicated that investigations and search efforts are continuing.