radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Mother of four Hema Manbodh-Singh has been denied bail and remanded in custody until next week Wednesday after she appeared before a Princes Town Magistrate charged with the attempted murder of her son.
Manbodh Singh, 43, of Farmers Trace, New Grant appeared before Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosein virtually. She is facing three charges of attempted murder, exposing a child to danger and unlawfully and maliciously administering a poisonous substance to a child. The charges were laid by PC Mohess.
The court heard that on March 16 at her Farmers Trace, New Grant home, Manbodh Singh, being responsible for the child, exposed him in a manner to cause injury to his physical and mental health. This charge was laid under the Children’s Act.
She was also charged with attempted murder under common law and unlawfully and maliciously administering a poisonous substance to the boy, endangering his life.
Manbodh Singh was not called upon to plead as the charges were laid indictably.
She was represented by attorney Subhas Panday who told the court his client is a truck driver and has four children. Panday said Manbodh Singh has no previous or pending charges and deserved bail, a fact that was confirmed by prosecutor Sgt Narine but he expressed concern that the boy is still warded in a serious condition and he lives at the same premises as the woman.
Magistrate Misir-Gosein asked whether there was anywhere else Manbodh Singh could live and Panday confirmed that she had somewhere else to go. However, Magistrate Misir-Gosein said the address will have to be verified and has to be investigated before bail can be granted.
She said possible alternative living arrangements, including the address and distance, will have to be verified. She also asked for an update on the medical condition of the boy when his mother returns to court.
The case was adjourned to March 29.
