Children Abandoned At Home By Their Parents For Over Three Weeks

Nation Shocked By Crime

The nation continues to be shocked by the level of cruelty and the number of murders across the island. Oftentimes we see the problem as just a police problem. It is similar to how we cannot manage our children and we see it as a school problem. We fail to follow the Covid-19 protocols and we see it as a government problem. When we end up in the hospital it now becomes the health sector challenge which needs to be fixed. It is said that, 'Finger always say look dey, finga neva say look yah!'

Children Locked Up At Home For Over Three Weeks

Tonight a very distressing story was brought to my attention about two children who are locked up and left at home and they have to take care of themselves. The information that I have is that the children are living at Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica.

CDA Cannot Be Contact To Deal With Crisis

The father has abandon them and claims he cannot manage them and the mother has also abandoned them. What is even sad is that it seems that the state agencies which need to step in are really not stepping up to the task. This is a holiday weekend and these children I am told might have to go without proper care because no one is able to make contact with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CDA).

Neighbours Contacted The Police

Neighbours have contacted the police but it is my understanding that the police cannot detain the children in lockups. What do you do when you cannot contact anyone at the CDA at this time? I made a report to them over two years ago about a child locked up in a car in a parking lot and I am yet to hear if any action was taken against the adult who committed that act. What luck will I have with this case?

Children 15 and 9 Years Old

The children ages 15 and 9 years old it is reported, have been on their own for over three weeks now. Are we to wait until persons abuse them, rape them and God forbid, kill them?  Will the state shed crocodile tears after that?

I understand that one of the children attends Charlie Smith High School and the other attends a school called Iris Gelly Primary School. More than likely they are not attending school at this time.

Police Cannot Keep Children In Lock-up

The police cannot keep these children in the lockup and these children have to go back to a house tonight where there is no parental care. These children have to cook, wash their clothes and do other things for themselves. I would not be surprised if these children start doing other things to earn money illegally in order to survive.

Can you predict what might happen to these children a few years from this when they become adults?  Can you understand why there is indiscipline, a high level of crime and murders in this county?

Children Need Help Now Please Assist!

I am putting this out hoping that someone will heed the call to help these children. If we don't, then this will be a serious blot on the history of this country. I would love the CDA or any of it's officers to send me a text message immediately to (876) 816-5261 or email me at ayswithvernon@hotmail.com. Is there a Minister of a church, an MP or just a good Samaritan who can help? Please!

Update 2021/04/04: I am still concerned that the children are now with relatives and neighbours are not convinced that these relatives can give the proper care to these children. I believe that the state should be able to take over the children until the matter is taken to court and a ruling made on the custody of the children.

Update 2021/04/03: Thanks for your support in having this matter dealt with. Your support has made a big difference. The head of the CDA Mrs. Rosalee Gage-Grey contacted me today, April 3, 2021 and Minister Fayval Williams has also been made aware of the situation.

A few persons also contacted me and were wiling to offer support in having this matter resolved. I also sent Minister Williams the video of the car with a child who was left locked up in it, in 2019.