Baby found dead in tub…
The West Berbice teen mother – whose nine-month-old baby was found dead in tub filed with water on Monday – along with the baby’s father were previously investigated by the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA).
Guyana Times was told that the CCPA was called in after the teen, who was 14 years old at the time, had left her mother’s home and had gone to live with her then 16-year-old boyfriend. When she became pregnant in late 2017, the Police were called and the 16-year-old boyfriend was arrested. Following his arrest, the CCPA provided counselling for the pregnant girl, who also received support from her mother. The baby was born in August 2018 and lived with his mother.
This publication was told that after the investigation was completed, legal advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, the charge of statutory rape was not recommended given the age of the two teens. As such, the pregnant 14-year-old moved back home with her mother.
Reports are the toddle reportedly crept to the bathroom which is situated outside the house and fell into the tub of clothes. The child’s body was found by his grandmother, Surojdai Trim, called “Navita”.
According to the grandmother, she left the 15-year-old mother and her child in the lower flat and went to take a nap. According to the grandmother, her daughter was lying in a chair and the child was playing on the floor. She related that about 30 minutes later, she awoke and saw her daughter asleep but did not see her grandchild.
She said she began looking for the toddler and as she peered into the bathroom, she saw her grandson’s body in the tub. Trim said she raised an alarm and tried to revive her grandson, but was advised by neighbours who had gathered to put the child down and call the Police, since he was already dead.
Guyana Times was told that the Police arrived several minutes later and the baby was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police are investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, the CCPA has been providing the baby’s mother with counselling and arrangements were made since last year to have her return to school. However, the girl has reportedly not been fulfilling her part of the arrangement.
The young mother also did not show up at the CCPA office in Berbice to sign documents to have a caregiver take care the child while she went to school.
