Autopsies on murdered mom, child — Chop to neck killed baby Jada

A SINGLE chop to the tiny neck of 14-month-old baby Jada Mootilal and the resulting shock and massive haemorrhaging ended her life, an autopsy done on October 9 has revealed. Her mother, Tara Ramsaroop, 34, died from multiple chop wounds.

The autopsies were done at the Forensic Science Centre in St James the day after mother and child were discovered dead in the home of a male relative in Barrackpore. Ramsaroop and her baby were found on a bed soaked with their blood.

Ramsaroop’s murder ended six agonising years of abuse at the hands of the suspect, who remains in police custody.

Her distraught sister Jassodra Rajaram advised abused women, once they leave such a relationship, not to look back. She said, “Stay away!”

She said too many women mistake domestic abuse for a form of love, and so they stay and endure. She said too many women have the belief that somehow, given time, they can change the man's violent habits, or women stay in abusive relationships for the sake of the family and for their children to be able to interact with their father.

She said her sister's violent end was the reality of such a relationship filled with violence and abuse.

Rajaram said even though her sister, who has left three children motherless, vacated the house of abuse seeking a better life for herself and her children, the man constantly hounded her, repeatedly threatening to kill her and the children.

She said police failed to protect her sister and her niece, despite the constant threats and the numerous reports made to the Barrackpore Police Station. She said the man was able to roam freely and may have felt emboldened to continue with his torture and violence against Ramsaroop.

Head of the Southern Division ACP Wayne Mystar said while the police do make errors sometimes, in this case, interim restraining orders were served on the suspect in April, and police served a final protection order on him on October 6.

He said while the protection order was in effect, it was the victim – Ramsaroop – who breached the order by going to the man's home.

Mystar said police cannot protect a person if they breach such orders by going to the home of the abuser. He advised people in such situations to behave in a manner that would not put them in harm’s way.

Rajaram said for seven months, her sister stayed away from the suspect, but he continued to hound and torture her, even breaking into her home and beating her numerous times with the flat side of a cutlass blade.

She claimed many reports were made on these beatings, but the police took no action whatsoever against the man.

Now that autopsies have been completed and a file sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigators are awaiting guidance on laying charges. Police sources said murder charges could be laid against the suspect on Thursday.

Rajaram said funeral arrangements are now being finalised, as the autopsies were complete and the bodies released to the funeral home that is liaising with the family. Investigations are continuing.