THE Baksh family of Northern Hogg Island is mourning the death of their one-year-old baby, who reportedly drowned in a nearby trench.
Dead is Saif Baksh, who was left in the care of his grandmother, Naimoi Roopnauth, on May

2. Shazeena Baksh, who is the aunt of the deceased, said she was at home in the lower flat grinding pepper while the toddler was playing in the yard. The aunt said she then observed that the child was missing and when she decided to make checks in the house and around the yard, she could not locate him.

She however, saw a small container that the toddler was playing with in a nearby trench not far from their home. She then informed her mother and they both went into the trench and began to search. The child was found and was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors. His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

Meanwhile, searches are currently underway for two-year-old Zevarah France, who reportedly drowned on May 2. According to information, France was last seen downstairs playing between 10:00 and 10:10hrs on May2, 2019. According to the child’s mother, Samantha Payne, she was downstairs sweeping while the toddler was with her. She said that about 10 minutes later, she observed that the child was missing. At the time, she said, her husband was not home. The mother immediately raised an alarm and neighbours responded. Payne said a six-year-old child later told her that she saw when France fell into the nearby canal which is approximately 50 feet from his parents’ home. Several persons from the neighbourhood began to search by diving in the waters but to date, they have not found the child. Searches are ongoing. A report was lodged at the Charity Police Station.