Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
A nine-year-old boy has been left traumatised, after he was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone in a play park attack in San Fernando. The playpark is situated at the back of the Housing Development Corporation’s Olera Heights apartment buildings.
The boy’s mother said around 5 pm last Friday, her son was playing in the park with his friends when the suspect, believed to be in his late teens to early 20s, who he knew from the area, approached him.
“He punched the child on his arm, snatched the phone valued $1,100, and ran towards the buildings. He is shaken up. He is a brave boy. The suspect cuffed him on his right hand, that was holding the phone. One cuff to loosen his hand, and he took the phone.”
However, she said her son did not come home immediately because he didn’t want to return home without the phone. Instead, the mother said her nine-year-old son went to the suspect’s home to retrieve the phone but was turned away.
He eventually arrived home around 8 pm and related what occurred.
“I was worried, but I know that sometimes he loses track of time.”
As the only boy among five siblings, the mother said her son likes to play with his male friends, and she would allow him to go to the park unsupervised because they had previously lived in the community and were familiar with the residents and the area. However, the woman said her son would no longer be allowed to play at that park.
“The place is so dangerous that a person could take a phone from a child like this, has me devastated.”
She said her son, a Standard One student, has not been to school this week.
While upset about the incident, the mother was thankful her son was not seriously hurt. She advised parents not to allow children to leave home with jewellery or phones.
“I thought my son was safe because he knows the area and the people there, but look what happened? An unguarded moment led to something that was way beyond anyone’s imagination. I did not expect in a million years this would have happened.”
When Guardian Media visited the area yesterday, residents were shocked and saddened over the incident. One resident said, as far as he was aware, that was the first time a child was attacked atthat playground, which is usually frequented by many children.
“It’s tragic because everyone wants to live in a community that is safe for their children to go outside and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Another resident, who has a young daughter, said the community is generally safe but suggested installing more lights and implementing police patrols in the area.
Police said they detained a suspect but released him pending further enquiries. Constables Artherley Figaro and Kyronn Ghisyawan are investigating.
