Man charged for neglecting boy, 2

A TWO -YEAR-OLD boy who was allegedly left in the care of a close male relative and later found alone in the yard of his South Oropouche home on Sunday, is now being cared for at an undisclosed location.

On Monday, 43-year-old Nkori Matthew of South Oropouche appeared before senior magistrate Margaret Alert in the Siparia First Court charged with willfully neglecting the toddler in a manner likely to cause injury or harm to his physical, mental and emotional health.

He pleaded guilty to the charge but after the facts were read, the magistrate changed Matthew's plea to not guilty on his behalf. This was because Matthew denied the facts saying he went out and left the child with an aunt. The child’s mother lives abroad and he said he is single parent.

Cpl Taylor of the Child Protection Unit charged Matthew under Section 41 A of the Children’s Act. The court heard that Matthew neglected the child at the house on Sunday and went away. Prosecutor Sgt Starr Jacob said that on Sunday midday Matthew allegedly left the house around midday and went away.

Later that day, the child was reportedly found in the yard of the house, with no adult supervision, by a female relative. The woman took the child in her care and contacted police. Police of the Child Protection Unit visited the home and the child was taken into police care before being taken to the home of relatives. Matthew was granted $50,000 own bail and the matter was adjourned to January 7.

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