The mother of Dwayne Medina, the schoolboy who was stabbed about the body by a fellow student in a robbery attempt at City Gate last Tuesday afternoon has called on parents to become more involved in the affairs of their children. Medina,15, a student of the Woodbrook Secondary school, was stabbed in the back, leg and hands by a group of schoolboys.
Up to late yesterday, one 15-year-old Servol student was in custody assisting police with their investigations. Medina's mother, Karen, said parents need to stop playing the blame game and do what is necessary to ensure their children are well disciplined. Medina was speaking with reporters on leaving the Port-of-Spain CID in company with her son yesterday. She said: "We blame the Government. Yes, they have their part to do. But, do we blame the Government for your child with a knife in his bag?That is not a Government problem... That is a parent problem and a community problem."
She said Dwayne is her only son and she understands how difficult it was to raise a child today, but warned that such hardships should not be used as an excuse to allow indiscipline. "We have a responsibility... We have to take responsibility for our children and nip it in the bud and do whatever it takes. We all have hopes for our children and every parent wants the best for their kids, and you don't want to know that your child end up behind bars," she said. She urged parents to "check up" on their children. "Do not brush-off and ignore and be in denial of their anger and their attitude, and whatever they are going through. They need help. Get help for your kids or you will have to face the consequences, and you have to stop making excuses," she said. She also denounced the brazen attack, saying much is left to be desired if such an incident could occur in broad daylight at the country's main transportation hub. "I don't think anybody would want to be in my position yesterday when that phone call came, not knowing (what to expect)," Medina said.
