People's National Movement La Horquetta/Talparo candidate Maxie Cuffie is calling on the police and the Ministry of the People to provide protection for the family of a 13-year-old girl from Wallerfield who died aftering being punished by her mother on Monday night.
In a press release on Wednesday, Cuffie said the family of Natesha James, of Jacob Hill, was in urgent need of counselling and protection as neighbours were blaming them for her death.
"Urgent interventions from the two relevant agencies in this matter are critical to provide counselling for a family in this period of mourning and beyond, as needed," Cuffie said. Although an autopsy showed the student of the Valencia High School choked on her own vomit after suffering an epileptic fit, clearing the parent of any wrongdoing, neighbours have maintained their suspicions of foul play.
"A child has died under traumatic circumstances while the police have their work to do if required. There is need for the intervention of the other arms of the State to ensure that other members of the family are not victimised," Cuffie said.
According to police reports, James was last seen alive at her home on Monday night.
Her mother, Natalie Jervais, told police when she arrived home after attending a prayer group meeting she saw her daughter fighting with her three-year-old sister.
She claimed she separated the feuding siblings and scolded them. However, shortly after they resumed and the mother reportedly again intervened. However, she said that time she decided to punish the teenager with a guava whip beating before sending her to bed.
But Jervais said minutes after returning to her bedroom she found the teen lying unconscious on the floor. James was taken to the Arima Health Facility where she was pronounced dead on arrival.