Four people arrested in relation to disappearance of Paulwell's child and her mother

By Racquel Porter/Clinton McGregor

Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey says four people, including 34-year-old petty officer in the United States Navy Leoda Bradshaw, have been taken into custody pending charges in relation to the disappearance of MP Phillip Paulwell's daughter and her mother.

Ten-month-old Sarayah Paulwell and her mother, 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson are believed to have been abducted from their home in St. Andrew on Saturday, September 9.

A $500,000 reward is being offered for information that could lead to their safe return.

But Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey in an update Friday afternoon said the police are looking at laying charges, including kidnapping and conspiracy to murder, against at least one of the four suspects.

He said the investigation is at an "advanced stage" but he urged anyone with information that could assist investigators to come forward.

ACP Bailey, in explaining why the police released the name of the suspect pending charges, said there is sufficient evidence linking Ms Bradshaw to the case.

Meanwhile, attorney Deborah Martin, who is representing Leoda Bradshaw, is insisting that her client has no knowledge of the abduction of the mother and her toddler.

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News on Friday afternoon, Ms Martin said her client has been fully cooperating with police investigators.

She said her client has given a statement, handed over her cellular phone and provided DNA samples to the police.

In addition, Ms Martin said her client is standing by a statement she issued shortly after the disappearance of the toddler and her mother and is insisting that she was not involved in any criminal act.