Cops approach DPP in beating of two-year-old girl

NALINEE SEELAL

MEMBERS of the Child Protection Unit, based at the St James Police Station, yesterday presented a file to Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC for directions in the beating of a two-year-old girl.

Up until yesterday, the child remained in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Doctors have told her parents her chance of survival is slim.

On Monday a second emergency surgery was done with the hope her condition may improve, however she continues to slip in and out of consciousness.

The main suspect in the beating, a 39-year-old nurse assigned to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, has denied any involvement.

She was interviewed for several hours on Sunday by a team of police led by Inspector Coggins.

On Tuesday, Coggins compiled a file which was taken to the DPP yesterday.

The parents of the baby are insisting that the suspect be charged because of the injuries suffered by their daughter.

It is alleged that two Saturdays ago, the child was left by her father in the care of the nurse and, on his return, the girl began vomiting and complaining of pains to her stomach.

The father was told the child was suffering from constipation and he should not worry. However on Sunday the toddler began screaming because of excruciating pain.

She was taken to hospital where doctors found her colon was ruptured, not from a fall, as a result of blunt force trauma.