RELATIVES of 21-year-old Awena Rutherford, who killed her children by poisoning them with carbon tablets on Thursday night, are very upset at her actions and are calling for her to feel the full force of the law if she survives.

The young woman, who remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) under Police guard, also swallowed two of the pills, of which she fed the four-year-old and one-year-old half each.
Yesterday, when the Guyana Chronicle went to her bedside and saw her partly wrapped in hospital clothing, she was not willing to speak but seemed to be no longer in critical condition.
Yet a nurse, who asked to remain unnamed, said it is likely that the woman would die because the poison is already in her system.
The health worker stated that the substance would have entered the woman’s veins and her chances of survival are slim.
The patient, though, demanded a drink called ‘Tropical Rhythm’ and a big bottle of water before anyone could talk to her and she kept repeating that she wanted to see her children.
Meanwhile, sources close to the patient and some hospital staffers are claiming that the woman is attempting to make persons believe she is somewhat insane.
But, during an interview with this newspaper yesterday afternoon at her home, the woman’s grandmother, Ursulla Rutherford, related that her granddaughter had no medical problem and that she was a well behaved and well brought up child.
The grandparent said the episode has shocked the entire family, as they never expected that Awena would commit such a crime, as she was never a violent person.
According to Ursulla Rutherford, the young mother lost her mother three years ago and her father also passed away.
At her Princes Street, Georgetown home, the grandmother maintained that it is difficult for her to understand and come to grips with what has transpired and is truly an embarrassment to the family.
Made headlines

“She made headlines for this family and she made it with murder,” the pensioner observed, as she sat on her bed eating bread.
When asked if she thought her granddaughter might be troubled in her heard, the woman declared that the former is a “healthy, strapping big girl with no medical problems.”
Ursulla recalled that she would, usually, pray for her entire family daily and, for some reason, special prayers were often said for the young mother who is now accused of murder, having administered the poisonous substance to her only two children and herself.
The three were rushed to hospital where the smaller child died first, followed by the elder.
GPHC nurses would not allow media personnel to converse with or take the patient’s photograph, pointing out that, despite the crime she, allegdly committed, she has a right to patient confidentiality.
Police are continuing their investigations into the tragedy and, if or when the sick woman makes it out of the GPH, it is anticipated that she will be slapped with two murder charges.
A senior Police officer said that, although the file of statements will have to be sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, it is usual, in such cases, for the suspects to face the Court for the capital offence.
By Leroy Smith