A nine-year-old boy was put in a wardrobe and set on fire on Friday night, Central Division police has said. A woman, who was found at the scene with a candle in her hand, was detained by police. Investigators said Abeomi Jeremiah, a pupil of Tunapuna Boys’ RC, died under mysterious circumstances during a fire at his home on Alexander Street, Longdenville.
Police said he was found lying motionless on a bed with candle wax over his eyes, ears and nostrils. Police also seized a book of rituals from the scene. Jeremiah’s mother Ingrid Francis, 35, told police she was at home when she smelt smoke around 11.30 pm. She went to check on her children and found Jeremiah lying unconscious.
The hair of his 12-year-old sister, whose named was not revealed, was on fire. Relatives put out the fire and called the police. Investigators said when they arrived, they found a female relative with a candle in her hand. She was detained.
Detectives said they were working on a theory that Jeremiah was put in the wardrobe and set afire. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to the house. The child was rushed to the Chaguanas District hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His sister, 12, is said to be warded at hospital. His sister, 13, is now receiving psychiatric assistance.
When the Guardian visited the scene, relatives remained tightlipped. A man, who had his locks wrapped in a turban, said the family did not want to release any information about the death. “You can stand there and ask all the questions, but you will get no answers from us,” the man said, while other relatives sat around talking and laughing. Police said an autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow at the Forensic Science Centre. Investigations are continuing.