Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
Minister of Social Development Donna Cox is taking the Valsayn South community to task for failing to report suspected abuse at a house where the bones of an 18-year-old were found on Tuesday in a shallow grave.
Police reports stated that Hannah Mathura had not been seen since 2017 and it was her bones that officers excavated from the backyard of the house at Butu Road, Valsayn South. According to police sources, investigators also found a tube top, a pair of red pants and underwear in the shallow grave.
Some residents claimed they contacted police and the Children’s Authority over the years after they noticed suspicious and concerning behaviour at the house, but did not receive favourable responses from the two State authorities. Despite these claims, Cox said she was deeply concerned about the conditions the family had been living in before and after the tragedy occurred.
As the investigation into the startling discovery continues, the minister expressed her disappointment in the neighbours who may have turned a blind eye to the suspected plight of Hannah and other children at the house.
Minister Cox explained that State agencies could only intervene if they are made aware that worrying activities are taking place.
“We are concerned about the neighbours’ role because we have always been asking persons to be our brother’s keeper. Persons wouldn’t find out things just so but people have to talk. If you recognise that something is wrong somewhere, if there is some kind of unusual situation, then you have to report it. We talk about if you see something, say something and these are the things that we need to talk,” she said.
The minister added people were duty-bound as citizens to report any untoward occurrence particularly when it comes to children.
“I am seeing reports telling me that apparently neighbours who were interviewed speak about probably seeing or hearing some kind of abuse. What have they done? How could something like this happen and nobody knows anything? Why are the children not in school? What school are they attending? Shouldn’t they have been in school? If I’m living somewhere and I see children out of school, I have a duty to report that!” she stressed.
‘Catastrophe of child neglect in T&T’
Meanwhile, the Children’s Authority has since responded to the “gruesome discovery” and has gone further to lament what director/CEO Sheldon Cyrus described as a catastrophe of child neglect in Trinidad and Tobago.
“There is an ongoing crisis regarding the protection of our nation’s children, as over the years, the authority has had to intervene in several horrific situations in which children exist”.
Responding to allegations that the family members living at Butu Road were denied freedom of movement for several years, Cyrus said the agency could not have intervened without a report being made.
“While this incident is engaging the attention of the police and the authority, details are still unfolding. However, it is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to say something, if we see something,” he said.
The Children’s Authority director added, “Child protection is everybody’s business, but for the authority or any agency to provide support, we need information that would guide our intervention.”
He assured that once the individuals in the household are assessed, and the circumstances under which they were kept are ascertained, then the psychological impact of their situation can be determined. Once concluded, interventions can be provided.
Cyrus added that the authority is continuing to appeal for a change in the mindset of adults about the value of children and a recognition that children’s rights must be respected.
“Among these fundamental rights are access to education, healthcare and safety, so they can achieve their full potential as contributing members of society.”
The authority further noted that it will work assiduously to support police to bring the perpetrators of heinous crimes against children to justice.
The public is urged to report any concerns or suspicions they may have about the safety of a child to the police at 999 or the Children’s Authority at 996.