– Three in hot water for rape, file for DPP this week

SOURCES have confirmed that the 12-year-old interior resident who had reportedly been raped by her stepfather and two other persons has successfully delivered a baby girl late on Sunday night into yesterday morning.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the child, who was in protective care, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after she began experiencing the onset of labour pains. Shortly after being admitted to the hospital’s maternity ward, she was taken to the theatre to give birth to her child, under much supervision and monitoring by doctors.

Information reaching this newspaper yesterday suggested that three persons are likely to face the heat over the rape of the child, even as tests are to be carried out to determine which one of the three persons is actually father to the pre-teen’s baby.

Contacted on developments of the investigation, Crime Chief Leslie James reported that the police are yet to send the file pertaining to the investigation to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ms Ann Green, yesterday told this publication that the department has done all that needs to be done to facilitate police investigations into the matter. Green said that statements which were gathered by the department were handed over to the police, and the department awaits feedback from the police.

When the news first broke about the rape of the child, Green was quoted in this newspaper as saying that no person should be allowed to rape children and walk away with impunity. She said the practice must stop, and that there are laws which protect children.

The pre-teen will be returned to her protective care after she has been discharged from the hospital, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through the Child Care and Protection Agency, would be taking care of her child until such time that the 12-year- old is capable of mothering her child in a responsible manner.

(By Leroy Smith)