Two relatives of a 10-year-old boy featured in a video crying and clearing bushes with a garden hoe were detained by police yesterday, even as members of the public expressed outrage that the child was initially returned to the couple. Since being posted on Thursday morning, the video has gone viral on social media sites with over 20,000 people sharing it and thousands of others commenting, sparking heated debates on child abuse in T&T.
In the video, the boy tells the woman filming him that he has to clean the entire plot of land before one of the relatives returns home. When prompted, he raises his T-shirt and displays the bruises and marks on his body that he said he got after a beating with a belt buckle. The T&T Guardian contacted the woman who shot the video, using her cell phone, and visited her at her home in Crown Trace, Enterprise, yesterday.
Desiree Cabrales-Cupidore, a mother of one, said she and her husband, Chris, were chatting at the back of their home around 9.15 am on Thursday when they heard crying coming from some bushes next door. “We came outside and were talking, when we heard crying coming from the bushes. When we walked up this boy was just weeding the grass and crying,” she said. “I asked why he was doing that and he said he had to finish the work before the male relative comes home or he would be beaten.”
Cabrales-Cupidore said the boy looked exhausted and she offered him something to eat. Cabrales-Cupidore said the boy told her the male relative beats him and his seven-year-old brother. “I asked him why he was not in school and he said when he finish clean the land he could go to school.”
“He said he didn’t eat yet for the day. I want to know how they could find a boots for him to wear but not something for him to eat,” she said. “He said his mother does not know about the beatings and that he could not go home.” She gave him two pieces of cake and a Smalta, all the while asking him about his home life. “I asked him why he was not in school and he said when he finish clean the land he could go to school.”
Cabrales-Cupidore, who said she has known the child’s relatives her entire life, was appalled. She was even more distressed when, after the matter was reported to the police and they took the boy and his relatives into custody, hours later the police returned and dropped the family back off at their home.
Cops face disciplinary action
Head of the Central Division, Senior Supt Johnny Abraham, said the officers in question would face disciplinary action. Abraham said the police were awaiting the results of a medical done on the boy before charges could be laid. Psychologist Dianne Douglas, a guest on the Morning Brew, yesterday, said one of the problems with child abuse in T&T was that different agencies were not working with each other.
She said the police were supposed to report the incident to the Children’s Authority. Child rights activist, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, who heads the Child Protection Task Force, said the Children’s Authority was awaiting one final piece of legislation before it could intervene in child abuse cases referred to them by the police. She said the legislation would be dealt with in Parliament next week and might be proclaimed by monthend.
She said for now the police would have to act on their own, adding, “Child labour and corporal punishment are against the law. “In cases like these, the police can pick up the parents.” Mahabir-Wyatt said the Children’s Authority, though not fully up and running, could still work with the police in such a situation. “The authority is fully staffed. There are trained people waiting to help abused children who are brought here.”
Minister: I’m appalled
Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development Clifton De Coteau said he was disturbed after viewing the video. In a media release, De Coteau said he saw the video and was totally appalled and saddened by the incident. He said he informed the director of National Family Services and the Victim Support Services. He said the family who were alleged to be involved were then interviewed at the Chaguanas Police Station.
De Coteau said the children were then taken by police to the District Medical Officer (DMO) for medical examination. “At this juncture it is felt that the children are at risk and so a community residence is currently being sourced. Counselling is also being provided to the mother.”
“I would like all citizens to know we will execute every measure possible to ensure the safety of these children and I sincerely congratulate the members of the public who brought this situation to my attention. I ask the public to remain vigilant as our children are our responsibility,” he said.