Baby Roshan’s mother charged with manslaughter

The 19-year-old mother of baby Roshan Ramrattan was denied bail yesterday when she appeared in court accused of beating the infant to death. Reshmi Ramrattan, who has been in custody since her baby’s death last week Saturday, was charged yesterday morning with manslaughter.

She later appeared before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan in the San Fernando First Court. Two-year-old Roshan died while being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital on the eve of his second birthday. An autopsy said the baby was beaten and violently shaken.

Ramrattan, who was detained at the Gasparillo Police Station, was charged by acting Cpl Mahindra Gadoo. She is charged with the unlawful killing of the child at their home on School Trace, Bonne Aventure Road, Gasparillo. Court prosecutor Ramdath Phillip objected to bail saying the police did not get an opportunity to have her traced since she was charged only yesterday morning. The magistrate upheld Phillip’s objection.

Ramrattan was represented by attorney Subhas Panday.Several relatives, including Kendall Francois, 32, Ramrattan’s husband and the baby’s father, were in court. Ramrattan was remanded to the Women’s Prison in Arouca and advised of her right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail. The matter was adjourned to Monday.