The Child Development Agency (CDA) has intervened in the case of the seven-year-old child, who allegedly broke into the Ramble Primary School in the eastern parish of St. Mary and attempted to poison the school population.
Irvin Rose, the school’s Principal, told our RJR News that the boy sprinkled the poisonous substance - Gramoxone- on food items and in a fish tank at the school.
On Tuesday, the CDA said the child has been referred to the Child Guidance Clinic in the parish for a psychological assessment to be done.
An CDA officer visited the school and then met with the boy and his family and interviewed members of staff. The agency said that following a psychological assessment of the child, further intervention will be carried out with the child and his family.
CDA officers are also in the process of carrying out a home assessment, with a view to preparing a social enquiry report.
Under the Child Care and Protection Act, a child below the age of 12 is accused of a criminal offence cannot be charged.
However, a judge may rule that the child is in need of care and protection.
The CDA is responsible for children in need of care and protection, such as those who have been abused, abandoned or neglected, or those who have exhibited behavioral issues.
It’s reported that last week Thursday the student was reprimanded by a teacher .The following day he sprinkled gramoxone into fish tank at the school and on food.
He also ransacked some classrooms.
It’s understood that as he was leaving the compound and on seeing the school's janitor and that's when he ran and in the process the bottle of Gramoxone and a bottle of diesel oil fell.