Sascha Wilson
The mentally challenged man who confessed to throwing “the child in the river” days after two-year-old Kimani Francis’ body was found in the Guapo River is no longer in police custody.
Based on instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, the man was allowed to leave the Point Fortin Police Station with his relative on Thursday night pending further inquiries.
Little Kimani wandered away from his home at Tenth Street Extension, Techier Village, Point Fortin, on May 9.
A massive land, aerial and river search ended the following day after his body was found in the Guapo River about mile away from his home.
Two days later, around 1.40 pm, the 41-year-old man, of Techier Village, an outpatient of a psychiatric clinic, walked into the Point Fortin Police Station and shouted, “Aye, I who throw the child in the river.”
When the police asked him the name of the child and the location of the river, he said, “Me eh know, but ah giving up myself, allyuh can’t say I eh give up myself, ah throw the child in the river.”
While in custody, two Legal Aid attorneys were appointed to represent him but they had issues taking instructions as he was incoherent.
Meanwhile, police are also awaiting instructions on whether to proffer a charge of negligence against a relative.
Kimani was at home with his mother and other relatives when he walked out of his home wearing only a diaper and barefoot. His mother only realised he was missing when a police officer came to the front door about a half an hour later.
The police were contacted by Zoi Anicka Quan Kep, a neighbour, after she saw the toddler on the road. She said she tried to follow him, but she could not catch up to him due to a medical condition and being overweight.
She was eventually forced to move out of her home after receiving threats by villagers who accused her of not trying to save Kimani.
An autopsy on May 13 at the Forensic Science Centre listed his death as drowning. Kimani’s parents paid for a second autopsy, but they have not disclosed the results to the media.
Kimani’s funeral service was held on May 20.
