Murder of toddlers in St. Ann shows need for greater mental health support - Golding

 

The People's National Party says Wednesday's tragedy in Moneague, St. Ann highlights the need for the strengthening of mental health support services and public education on substance abuse. 

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding says this is based on early reports that the suspect was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the murders.

 

Mr. Golding says he joins the country in mourning the deaths of the two children. 

 

"My thoughts and prayers go out to their mother and other family members who are having to deal with this terrible loss. While investigations are ongoing, early reports suggest that this incident may have a mental health element to it, and that underscores the need to expand our mental health services and support for persons who need that, and also to deepen our public education around substance abuse. Let us all as individuals keep the family and those affected in our prayers and do what we can to ease the loss that they have sustained from this terrible incident," he urged. 

 

The bodies of one-year-old Amir Saunders and three-year-old Shamir Henry were found with stab wounds in bushes in the community of Swamp district on Wednesday.

 

The children are believed to have been killed by the father of the younger child.

 

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency has said it is preparing to host two community meetings, one with adults and the other with children to help them process their grief and trauma.