THE preliminary inquiry into the murder of 18-month-old Ronasha Pilgrim, who was allegedly killed by her teenage uncle over a pair of gold earrings commenced with the testimony of her father, Ron Pilgrim.

The proceeding was done before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan with evidence being led by police prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers.

Sherwyn Roberts called ‘Big Head’ is charged with killing his niece Ronasha Pilgrim on September 1, 2017 at Lot 98 North Sophia, Georgetown.

He is currently on remand.

During the hearing police witnesses testified and the matter will continue Tuesday. According to reports, on the day in question, the toddler along with her brothers, aged 10 and 12 years, was left in the house by her father, a security guard, while he went to work. It is alleged that the accused, her 18-year-old uncle, at about 03:30 hrs the said day, broke a window, and gained entry into the house where he tried to relieve the child of her earrings.

But in trying to do so, the child started to scream and the man tossed her through a window into the swamped yard. He then hurried away from the area, but not before placing a pile of wood on top of the child, who was submerged in 18 inches of water and slush. When the child was discovered by her father shortly after, she was in a motionless state and was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect was arrested at his ‘B’ Field Sophia home shortly after the incident. He reportedly confessed to the police at the Prashad Nagar Police Station and explained to ranks that he was “high on weed.”