Case of smoking toddler being probed

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency has launched a probe into a video posted on social media depicting adults encouraging and facilitating a toddler smoking a cigarette and drinking what appears to be alcohol.

The agency's CEO, Rosalie Gage Grey, last night (Monday) told Radio Jamaica News that the Cyber Crimes Unit is now involved in the investigation.

The video has sparked anger and outrage among members of the social media community who openly posted their disgust at its contents.

The toddler is seen with a cigarette in his hands, attempting to smoke it while adult voices are heard encouraging him to puff and praising him for making the attempt.

Mrs Gage-Grey told Radio Jamaica News that the matter was brought to the agency's attention, which prompted the state's response.

She described the scene captured in the video as "very disturbing" and "child abuse at the very serious level" - as a result of which every effort is being made to "see if we can identify the child and his family".

She's urging anyone who knows the child or his relatives to make contact with her agency.