Beaten girl, 2, fights for life

NALINEE SEELAL

A two year-old girl, who is believed to have been severely beaten, continued to slip in and out of consciousness on Saturday at hospital and doctors have told relatives to prepare for the worst.

The child is warded at the Intensive Care Unit of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital, Mt Hope. On Friday she underwent emergency surgery however due to complications she did not respond well to attempts to save her life. Yesterday relatives kept vigil at the child's bedside hoping for a miracle.

Police officers probing the bizarre incident said that they are yet to interview the woman who they believe can shed some light into how the little girl suffered the extensive injuries. The woman had asked police to give her some time to seek legal counsel in the matter before making herself available for the interview.

Police investigators said several persons have already been questioned including the child's mother and father.

Two Saturdays ago the father of the girl left her in the care of a woman who is believed to be a nurse. The woman took the child to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex late Sunday and told doctors that the child had complained of feeling unwell and she wanted the child to be treated. However when doctors carried out an examination of the little girl they discovered that the injuries suffered may have been from a beating. This prompted a police investigation into the matter.

The Children's Authority in a statement yesterday reported they are working with the police in the conduct of the investigations into the brutal beating of the child. The authority in a release yesterday said the matter was brought to their attention when the child was admitted to hospital.

"The Authority is horrified and strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the brutal abuse of the child. The organisation is once again reminding the public that preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility. In fact, if you see, hear or are suspicious about the treatment of a child in your family or neighbourhood you should immediately make a report to the police or the Children’s Authority."

The Authority is calling on anyone with information about this incident to make a report to the Police at 999 or to the Children’s Authority Hotline at 996 or 800-2014.