Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was moved to tears yesterday as she visited the family of murdered eight-year-old Daniel Guerra at their house on Bedeau Street, Gasparillo. Through her tears, however, Persad-Bissessar assured that no stone will be left unturned to bring the "monster" to justice even if meant bringing in international experts. Saying the perpetrator will face the full brunt of the law, Persad-Bissessar said that was why it was important that they pass the bill to resume hangings in T&T.
As Persad-Bissessar arrived she warmly embraced Daniel grandmother, Shirley Indarsingh, who buried her head in the Prime Minister's bosom and cried.
Accompanied by Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Foreign Affairs Minister and MP for the area Surujrattan Rambachan, Persad-Bissessar initiated a prayer session in which everyone held hands as Hindu and Christian prayers were offered. Holding the hand of a grief-stricken Indarsingh, the Prime Minister sang along to spiritual songs as she wiped her tears. Persad-Bissessar, who spent almost an hour at the home, met privately with the child's mother, Rona, 26, who remained inside. Speaking afterwards a barely audible Persad-Bissessar said: "I can't find the words to describe the kind of pain we all are feeling right now, the death of anyone is painful but when it is a child I don't know." Saying everyone had been plunged into grief, she said: "As a mother and a grandmother I can feel it in my stomach. And for us as a Government we must bring this monster to justice. Whoever is responsible for this we must find that person and the full brunt of justice, of the law applied.
"So we have to do every single thing so this monster cannot attack another child," said Persad-Bissessar, who added: "Even if it is we have to bring international expertise." The PM said the bill to reintroduce hanging will come up in Parliament tomorrow: "Let us pass that bill so when we find this monster, so they can feel the full brunt of the law of the punishment of taking a life," she said. Saying that tragedy has strengthened her resolve more drastic measures need to be use in the fight against crime, she said she would convene the National Security Council and will meet with President George Maxwell Richards today.
She urged parents to be more vigilant and not to leave their children alone for a single moment "because there are sick minds." She added: "There are monsters and therefore we have a duty as a nation to be the keepers of every single child, so I ask everyone out there never leave a child alone for one moment at every step of the way." She said financial assistance would be provided to the family through the Ministry of the People and Social Development.
Persad-Bissessar said all must band together as a nation to "run the criminals out of our lives and put them where they belong behind bars" Gopeesingh said social welfare and guidance officers were dispatched to the school to provide counselling to students. The Standard Two pupil, of Gasparillo Government Primary, disappeared on Friday morning after he went to purchase a beverage at the neighbourhood parlour. His body was found on Sunday in a river at Tarouba Link Road.