Post-mortem finds child died from shock, haemorrhage due to ruptured spleen

– family mourns death of 9-year-old boy allegedly assaulted by teen cousin

A Nurney Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) family has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of nine-year-old Levon Collins, a Kildonan Primary School pupil who succumbed on Saturday, November 22, reportedly days after being assaulted by his 15-year-old female cousin. The incident was first reported in a police release and later detailed in information published online, as family members could not be immediately reached for further comment.

According to the police, Collins died at about 20:10h on November 22 while receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital. His death came 10 days after the alleged assault, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, November 12, in Kildonan Village, Corentyne. Based on earlier accounts reported online, Collins had been riding his bicycle to his aunt’s home when his chain slipped. His cousin, who was walking behind him, allegedly confronted him, pushing him first. The child reportedly told his mother, Loretta Collins, that when he objected, the teen hit him, and he struck back. He then fell to the ground, after which the teenager allegedly lifted the bicycle and dealt him a blow to his stomach, continuing the beating while he lay on the road.
Collins, also reportedly told his mother the following day that this was not the first time he had been attacked by the same relative. The woman rushed her son to the Port Mourant Hospital on the day of the incident, where he was examined, given pain medication, and discharged following an X-ray. However, his condition worsened four days later, prompting her to take him to the New Amsterdam Hospital. There, the child was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and later transferred to the children’s ward, where he appeared to be improving. However, on November 22, the child suddenly began vomiting what appeared to be clotted blood. He died moments later while in his mother’s arms. The grieving mother described her son as quiet, playful and loving. “I feel so sad. I didn’t expect it. He’s not a child that trouble nobody,” she said, in comments reported online. The mother also claimed that she had filed a report the day after the incident, but that no investigators followed up. “They say is a CID (Criminal Investigation Department) matter… and nobody never come,” she was quoted as saying.
In the official release, police stated that the 15-year-old alleged assailant is a school dropout from Nurney Village. They also confirmed the sequence of hospital visits and noted that Collins died while receiving treatment at New Amsterdam Hospital.
A post-mortem examination was conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Brijmohan gave cause of death as due to shock and haemorrhage due to a ruptured spleen.
Police say investigations are ongoing.
With the case now grounded in the post-mortem findings, the boy’s mother has insisted – through previous reports – that she wants justice for her son. Authorities are continuing their probe to determine exactly what transpired and whether charges will be laid in connection with the child’s death.