A LINDEN mother of four is now living in fear and is calling on the police to continue their search for the father of her son, after it was alleged that he set fire to the house they were in the process of moving out from.

While she, along with her four children, were not harmed, since they were not there at the time, the mother believes that the man allegedly committed the act, with the belief that they were home, since the door was left unlocked. Dorrette Higgins was in the process of moving out of the house, since she was given another place of abode by a family member, after enduring ongoing torment and threats from the man. Her eldest daughter, Angel, told the Guyana Chronicle that her mother decided to separate from her partner in May, 2019, because he was not a consistent provider.

Following her decision, he became a force to reckon with and she alleged that he even burnt down two houses they sought refuge in. Reports of his threatening behaviour were made to the Wisroc Police Outpost and the Wismar Police Station. “This is not the first time, he burned down a house we were living in – a house around Wisburg School about a month ago, burn it right down. Then our cousin had given us a house in One Mile, since he was moving to Bartica, a flat concrete house and that one burn down too, but we didn’t sure how it burn down, but now we are putting two and two together,” the 18 year-old daughter alleged.

She further related that at the house that was burnt on Monday, the man, on numerous occasions, threw faeces on it and would carry away their belongings that were left outside and would threaten to kill Higgins.

She made reports of these, but were not satisfied on how they were handled. Commander of Region 10, Courtland Winter, said that the mother did relate that she reported the matters. Though he was not posted to the division at the time, Winter said that upon checking, one report was made in relation to threatening behaviour in October at the Wisroc Outpost. Several attempts were made to arrest the perpetrator, but he was never contacted. The police, however, are presently searching for him, while continuing to investigate the matter.

Angel said that the family lost some furniture, including a chair set and a washing machine. She is, however, thankful that none of her siblings, ages 14, nine and three, were hurt in the fire. Her mother, however, remains fearful and is hoping that the police to arrest the perpetrator soon.