Organisation pleads for better supervision of children after baby girl dies in ‘domestic dispute’
News of the death of a four-month-old girl as a result of a domestic dispute has prompted Save the Children Fiji to make a plea with parents and guardians. They have asked parents and guardians to be more vigilant in protecting and supervising their children.
The plea also came in the wake of the death of two other children in a space of three days.
A Police statement said on Sunday, a fourmonth-old baby girl died after she was caught in the middle of an alleged dispute between her parents.
It is alleged that the infant’s father returned home heavily intoxicated and was refused entry into their home by his wife, the statement said.
The 26-year-old suspect allegedly got hold of a concrete block and hurled it at his wife, but hit their daughter instead, Police said.
Save the Children Fiji chief executive officer Shairana Ali said in recent months, they have observed a growing number of children who lost their lives including road accidents.
“The latest incidents were very much preventable if the drivers concerned had been more careful. Especially in the case of the one-year-old child, whose parents/guardians should have closely supervised the child,” she said.
“These incidents are quite unfortunate and we lament the loss of young lives. “We are calling on parents to be more vigilant. They must advise and teach children about road safety and drivers should at all times be very cautious at all times when behind the wheel.
“They should pay close attention to small children, especially when driving in residential areas.”
At Clopcott, Ba a one-year-old girl died after a vehicle driven by a relative reversed and ran over her last Friday. A second incident occurred in Vuna, Taveuni on Sunday.
The 12-year-old boy had allegedly tried to jump onto the back of a reversing truck when he slipped and was trapped under the vehicle. Police investigations are underway.