Philipsburg: -- The man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl on a number of occasions has surrendered to police on Thursday. SMN News understands the suspect identified as L.D from Jamaica decided to surrender after meeting with an attorney on Wednesday. SMN News further understands that the suspect and his boss told his lawyer that three “rasta looking” men showed up at his place of employment in Middle Region to settle the score with him. It is understood the suspect is maintaining his innocence saying he is no rapist; instead, he is a man of God.
The source said because of this the man’s employer who was also a witness when he was beaten up by a neighbor at his work place for raping the minor girl wanted to know if he should follow his wife’s instruction and skip the island.
The child’s mother is also changing her story saying that this is a mere mistake and that they the family is doing all that are necessary to make sure the man is punished. The young woman also went to her sister’s house where the child was placed by the court of guardianship to see if she can physically remove the child on Thursday afternoon. Her efforts however, failed since the other family members vowed to protect the youth. Speaking to SMN News the aunt of the child said she loves her niece and she is the one meeting all the financial obligations for the child. The aunt said that even though the child lives with her godmother she is the one who is providing food, clothing, and all other necessities for her niece, simply because she loves her. The young woman said her sister has never been there for her daughter instead she spent almost 8 years in a US prison.
The aunt said that she was even forced to buy new school uniform on Wednesday to make sure the child who is presently in the sixth grade attend school because her self-appointed guardian refused to give up her belongings. It is the guardian that is receiving monies from Social Welfare for the child.
In an invited comment Joel Arrindell, head of the Court of Guardianship said the child has been placed by her aunt on the French side temporarily until they can gather all evidence. Arrindell said when the evidence is gathered from the police and the doctor they are going to place the child in protective custody. He advised the aunt to call the gendarmes or the police if the mother tries to remove the child from her care. Arrindell said both the gendarmes and the police were informed about the case.
