Mentally ill mother hospitalised after allegedly drowning infant son

By Kimone Witter  

 

 

The mother of a two-month-old baby boy who was drowned in a bucket of water in Top Hill, Manchester on Tuesday, is in hospital and receiving treatment.

 

The woman, who police say is mentally ill, had initially fled the community after the act which she is alleged to have committed. 

 

Deputy Superintendent of Police Luhas Daniels, acting commander for the Manchester division, said the mother was picked up by a team from the mental health department in Mandeville on Tuesday. 

 

"Further investigation revealed that the mother of the child is an outpatient at the mental health clinic at the Percy Junor Hospital. She was picked up by members of the Manchester Mental Health Department and transported to the Percy Junor Hospital, where she is currently restrained, being treated and undergoing observation," said the senior police officer, who added that an investigation into the child's death continues.

 

The grandfather of the child told Radio Jamaica News that the woman previously had episodes where she set fire to the house she shared with his son and went missing for weeks at a time.

 

However, he said there were no recent signs of an impending episode.