PM Holness says country 'heartbroken' by murder of toddlers in St. Ann

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says, the country has been left deeply shaken and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of two children in Moneague, St. Ann.

 

One-year-old Amir Saunders and three-year-old Shamir Henry were reported missing Tuesday evening and a search launched, but they were not found.

 

The police and members of the Jamaica Defence Force resumed the search on Wednesday, which led to the discovery of the children's bodies in bushes in the community.

 

The bodies had stab wounds.

 

Dr. Holness expressed condolences to the grieving mother, family members, and the wider community grappling with the loss. 

 

He called for residents to be vigilant in safeguarding the well-being of children. 

 

He added that the government remains committed to strengthening its systems of support for families and ensuring that the various agencies are responsive in situations where children may be endangered.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has expressed horror at the murders of the two young brothers in Swamp district, Moneague.

 

The children are believed to have been killed by the father of the younger child, who is suspected to have been under the influence of narcotics at the time of the murders. 

 

CEO of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams-Thomas, said the agency is actively involved in the investigation. 

 

"This gruesome incident is beyond tragic. It's absolutely horrific. I shudder to the think of what these innocent children may have endured in their final moments. Our hearts are also with the mother who has suffered a devastating loss of her only two children. Our investigations into the matter are ongoing, and while we are unable at this time to confirm whether there was a history of violence in the home, what we do know is that these gruesome acts have left scars, not only on the family but on the wider community," she lamented.

 

She said the CPFSA is preparing to host two community meetings, one with adults and the other with children, to help them process their grief and trauma following the tragedy.

 

"Incidents such as these can cause deep trauma for residents, especially children, who may struggle to make sense of what has happened. As is our practice, the CPFSA will work with community-based partners such as schools, churches and other government agencies present in the community to support the healing process. These group sessions will help us to assess the extent of grief being experienced by the members of the community, especially the children, and to provide further counselling interventions where needed," she outlined. 

 

The CPFSA is reminding and encouraging persons to report any and all forms of child abuse using the 24-hour child abuse reporting hotline, 211.