Children’s Authority keeps watch at St Mary’s

The nineteen children of the St Mary’s Home in Tacarigua who were removed from the home on Friday on the instruction of the Children’s Authority have been returned to the home and are being monitored around the clock by social workers from the authority.

The social workers will maintain a presence at the home pending the outcome of medical tests carried out at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on Friday.

The children are expected to be placed in safe houses by the Children’s Authority who were in the process of making those arrangements yesterday.

A source said, yesterday, that the 19 children, all between the ages of four and 14, were not being allowed to make contact with other children at the home and visits by relatives had been restricted pending the outcome of the medical report .

However, in special circumstances, some relatives will be allowed to meet with the children .

Tomorrow, the 19 children are expected to be re-interviewed by officers of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) and a decision is expected to be made on the operations of the home.

Sunday Newsday understands that some of the parents of the children who were allegedly abused have threatened legal action against the management of the home. One parent said she was a victim of domestic violence and could not properly take care of her son hence her decision to have him stay at the St Mary’s Children Home.

She said when she learnt that her son was one of the 14 boys who were allegedly abused, she spoke to a relative who is now making the necessary arrangements to meet with a top attorney from South Trinidad on Tuesday. The parent said there was uneasiness at the home with the presence of social workers in the aftermath of the startling revelation.

Meanwhile, the board of the St Mary’s Children Home is expected to meet tomorrow to discuss the latest claims of sexual abuse at the Tacarigua-based home, following which, a statement is expected to be issued to the media.

The allegations surfaced on Thursday when members of the CPU visited the institution.

The affected children told social workers assigned to the Children’s Authority that the alleged perpetrators were other residents whose ages ranged between 12 and 17.

The alleged victims, 14 boys and five girls, were taken to the San Fernando Teaching Hospital on Friday where they were reportedly examined by doctors.

A source revealed that one of the alleged victims confided in a relative about what was taking place at the home and the relative made a report to the Children’s Authority. This led to several social workers being assigned to the home to interview the children.

The social workers were told the incidences of sexual assault had been happening for some time, with the last one taking place on Thursday. The 14 boys said they were assaulted by male inmates who have also confessed to being similarly assaulted by other residents in the past.

The girls initially appeared to be very secretive about the acts allegedly committed against them but they were convinced to speak out.

On Friday, Cheryl Moses, the Children Authority’s communications manager, confirmed that the matter was being investigated by the authority.

Also Assistant Superintendent Beverly Paul-Rodriguez of the CPU confirmed the unit was told about the allegations. Paul-Rodriguez said the unit has had reports from the home in the past, but this was the first time it had been informed of such a large number of children complaining about sexual abuse at the institution. Paul-Rodriguez said the unit would be working closely with the Children’s Authority in the investigation.

The St Mary’s home is overseen by the Anglican Church in collaboration with Government. Bishop of Trinidad Claude Berkeley is the chairman of the board of management.