Charges recommended for mother who violently beat 4-y-o
A RECOMMENDATION has been put forward by chief executive officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, that the woman seen violently beating her fouryear-old daughter in a viral video be charged. The case has reportedly been referred to the director of public prosecutions. Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Gage-Grey described the footage as brutal and horrendous, and said that based on CPFSA investiga- tions, there is evidence that intervention is needed for the entire family.
“That is our recommendation, that she be charged, because of the level of abuse meted out to the child, but that is not our call. We went there Saturday morning and this morning (Monday) and this is what we are saying. We think that in a situation like that, the whole family needs intervention. The child got initial counselling and they will continue to get further counselling and support,” she said.
Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Corporate Communications Unit, Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, said the police would soon make a decision on whether the mother will be charged.
“There is a possibility she may be arrested. The police are doing the investigations and putting the file together, following which they will make a determination,” she said.
In condemning the mother’s actions, chief executive officer at the National Parenting Support Commission, Kaysia Kerr, said, “Having seen the video, it is clear some of the things [are] lacking in terms of parenting skills. The video is horrific and is certainly a behaviour we condemn. We don’t support beating, and we push positive practices in parenting, and hers would be contrary to what we push.
“Having had preliminary conversations with the parent in question, we also realised that there are other layers to what we have seen. This means that the parenting commission will have to look towards coordinating the support that the parent will need.”