Child sent to correctional facility for bed-wetting

to order that the child lives with a fit person.

“This particular part of the Child Care and Protection Act is proportionally harsh on children. Uncontrollable conduct is not an offence known in the general criminal law. It is certainly not applicable for adults. As a category of offence, that is only for children,” she said.

She stated that in 2007, various stakeholders, including the police and resident magistrates, had discussions about this particular section of the Act being repealed, but this was not done.

“It continues to be used so we see parents taking the child to court and say ‘Judge, mi can’t manage him’. What we have found is that a large portion of these children are girls. In addition to finding out what is uncontrollable conduct, we are trying to find out if this is a way for parents to discharge of their parental responsibilities, because it is the parent or guardian who takes the child to court,” she said. “We would like to see every child that goes before the court to be adequately represented by effective council.”