Brutal murder of eight year-old Jamaican girl draws condemnation

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday February 6, 2014, CMC – Youth Affairs Minister Lisa Hanna has condemned the brutal murder of an eight-year-old primary school girl on Monday reminding the country that the care, protection and wellbeing of children remain the responsibility of everyone.

Police say they are questioning one suspect in the murder of Selena Edmund, a student of the Whitehall Primary School in the parish of St. Thomas, who had been sent to a shop by her mother, but never made it.

They said when her body was found, her throat had been slashed and she was sexually assaulted.

Hanna said far too often “our children are preyed upon by adults who should protect and care for them.

“I know that all well thinking Jamaicans join me in condemning this brutal act. Our children are among the most vulnerable and when we fail to protect them, we fail ourselves as a society and we greatly hinder our future,” she added.

Hanna called on Jamaicans to show greater levels of care, love and support for the children and to be more vigilant in safeguarding their communities.

“The care, protection and wellbeing of children must be everybody’s responsibility,” she said, adding that Jamaicans should be steadfast in renewing their resolve to act boldly in the interest of our children.

The Office of The Children’s Advocate (OCA) has also condemned the murder and has appealed to anyone with information to get in touch with the police.

Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, said no parent or guardian should have to endure the agonising pain of having to bury their child under such gruesome and heart-rending circumstances.

The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) urged parents to break their silence and report on individuals who continue to prey on the nation’s children.