Nurse Granted Bail in Child Abuse Case

A Diego Martin woman appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate yesterday charged with grievous assault against a 2-year-old toddler earlier this month. Roxanne Oliver, 39, appeared before Magistrate Aden Stroude in the Port of Spain Magistrate's Fifth court to face the charges.

Rachel Noel-Eute, Senior Legal Associate for the Children's Authority explained that the Authority learned of the incident earlier this month when a report was filed after injuries were sustained to the child. She explained to the Magistrate that the Authority intended to remove the child from the custody of her parents once she was discharged from the hospital and seek alternative living arrangements pending a police investigation and an independent investigation headed by the Authority.

Oliver's attorney Richard Mason requested bail with surety citing that his client has matters before the court. After carefully considering the points presented, Stroude granted Oliver bail with surety in the sum of $100,000, under the conditions that she report three times a week to the West End police station in Petit Valley and remain 100 feet away from the victim and her family at all times. Prosecutor also requested that Oliver surrender her passport before the court, however, Mason said that his client's passport was expired but promised that he would bring it to the next hearing.

Oliver is expected to reappear in court on October 26. Earlier this month, the child who lives with her father was left in the care of Oliver who allegedly dealt a severe beating to the toddler. The woman was charged and arrested shortly before 1pm on Monday afternoon.