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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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Outrage over baby girl's death By JASMIN BONIMY ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ jasmin@nasguard.com: The alleged molestation of a five-month-old baby girl has sparked public outrage as police continue their investigation. Nearly a dozen religious figures from The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and the Pastors for Prayer organization released statements not long after news broke that police were no longer questioning the baby's parents and several other people they had in custody. Police reported that the child's relatives were taken into custody on Friday night shortly after they took her to Princess Margaret Hospital, where doctors determined she had injuries that she later died from. Police said those injuries indicated the baby might have been the victim of molestation. Bishop Ian K. Brathwaite, president of the Pastors of Prayer organization, said his group plans to turn out in full force once police solve the case and place it before the courts. "When this little angel's case is heard before the court, we plan to stand on Bank Lane to show our support to her and to all of the other children who are and were victims," Brathwaite said. "We plan to stand to remind our citizens of this nation that we must put God first in all things. We plan to stand and remind persons that Christ said suffer the little children to come unto him. We plan to stand for what is right, holy and good in the sight of our God and claim this nation back as a nation under God." As local leaders continue to express their outrage, Superintendent Ellsworth Moss said despite releasing the baby's parents, police were still conducting active investigations. Moss said investigating officers were awaiting a pathologist's report to determine if and when charges will be filed in the case. Yesterday, the Baptist pastors said at a press conference that addressing the issue of sexual abuse should be given a multi-organizational approach. "We further call on the government of the day to give greater attention to the opinion of non-governmental groups, even dissenting voices," said Dr. William Thompson, president of the Baptist convention, as he read a joint press statement. "...There is an urgent call for all of us Bahamians and those who reside in The Bahamas to put aside our various differences and truly commit ourselves and our resources to resolutely confront this ungodly scourge in our land." Thompson and his group said they hope to meet with government officials soon in a bid to discuss how they will deal with crimes of a sexual nature. "Our view is a view that is centered on scriptures and common sense," Thompson said. "Anything that goes against the norm of common decency living is wrong and should be addressed." Before starting debate in the House of Assembly yesterday on the 2009/2010 budget, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told parliamentarians that he sent his deepest sympathies to the infant's family. Tuesday June 9, 2009