Stepdad charged with child cruelty

A 37-YEAR-OLD man was expected to appear before a Sangre Grande Magistrate on Wednesday charged with child cruelty after he surrendered to Eastern Division Child Protection Unit (CPU) officers on Tuesday with his attorney.

The self-employed mechanic was charged by WPC Valere of the Eastern CPU with one count of child cruelty, having had an arrest warrant issued in relation to a report of alleged child abuse to a 16-year-old boy on May 27.

The man’s common-law wife, a police press release stated, was arrested and charged on June 8, by WPC Valere, and appeared before a Sangre Grande magistrate charged with wilful neglect and assault of a child. The mother was granted bail by a Justice of Peace who adjourned the case to July 17.

An investigation revealed the victim was being abused for some time, allegedly at the hands of his mother and stepfather. Further enquiries suggested the man went to the family home, took a piece of PVC pipe and beat the child leading to cuts, and bruises to the left hand and left rib cage area.

The victim was seen lying on a mat outside the home and a report was made to police. CPU Officers, with the assistance of the Children’s Authority, removed the child and placed him in the care of another relative.

Investigations were supervised by Insp Bain-Keller and the complainant, WPC Valere, was supported in the probe by Ag Supt George and Ag ASP Sookdeo