By Shauna Jemmott

THE man who lassoed his 13-year-old daughter and walked her down the Haslington Public Road, East Coast Demerara on Sunday morning has been arrested and taken into police custody.On Sunday, police and the Child Protection Agency (CPA) launched an investigation into reports from residents that a young girl with a rope tied to her was being taken down the Haslington Public Road by an adult male.

A woman who witnessed the unbelievable act while travelling in a minibus along the public road, said around 10:15 hours on Sunday, she saw a man holding a coarse yellow rope, which formed a single firm loop around the child’s chest.
The rope was wrapped several times around the man’s hand as the two walked at a moderate pace.

A CPA official on Monday told the Guyana Chronicle that another individual within the Haslington community telephoned the CPA hotline on at 22-70979 Sunday afternoon and confirmed the reports, leading to the removal of the girl from the home of her father, and his arrest.

According to the CPA official, the teenager’s name first appeared in the agency’s reports just last month, with reports of her wandering in the city after school.

“She has some delinquent troubles. Last month she came in on our report for delinquent behaviour. She wouldn’t go home after school. She wandered around town (and) wouldn’t go home until late at nights,” the CPA official said.

However, CPA representative said that does not give the father the right to lasso his daughter and walk her down the road.

The agency has started working with the entire family to address the issue.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicate that the girl is the only child for the mother and father together, but her mother has other children who live away from the residence.

Guyana Chronicle also understands that the teenager’s father is in police custody and is assisting with the investigations into child abuse.

Meanwhile, CPA Head Ann Greene is calling on citizens to assist the CPA in addressing child abuse.

“Child protection it never stands alone! We’re looking for people at the community level. All segments of society must come on board! It’s a national issue,” the CPA Director said.

Anyone with information relating to the abuse of a child or children is asked to call the Child Protection Agency hotline at 22-70979.