Parents of abandoned boys granted bail
April 09, 2008
THE parents who police say abandoned their two little boys at a police station last Tuesday, were granted bail of $75,000 each and were ordered to undergo psychiatric therapy when they appeared in the Family Court Monday.
The two -Yanieke Thompson, 25, of Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew and Christopher Small, 36, of Greenwich Town St Andrew, were arrested and charged lats Thursday for the abandonment of their sons, Shakene and Shamar Small, six and five years old respectively.
According to Sergeant Lovena Edwards, the two were ordered to get psychiatric help and social workers were assigned to investigate their homes.
Thompson, who is unemployed, also takes care of a one-year-old baby at her one-room dwelling in Maxfield Avenue.
"They were roughed up by the judge who never wanted to grant them bail, but after some negotiation by their lawyers, bail was set at $75,000 each," said Edwards.
Edwards added that they are to re-appear in court on Thursday, where matters regarding assistance donated to the boys will be finalised.
Less than 24 hours after the little boys were allegedly left to sit on a concrete block outside the Station, at least two organisations offered to assist them. Full tuition, lunches and uniforms to Hydel Group of Schools were donated by senator Hyacinth Bennett, president of the institution and Errol Brennon, chief executive officer for Sunshine Auto Parts Limited, donated $100,000 to the children.
Shakene and Shamar, who are being accommodated at the Walker's Place of Safety, are to take their seats in the junior preparatory section and intermediate level pre-school respectively at the institution.
"As soon as the case is finished and the paper work for the donations are done, then they will have access to the schooling and the money," Edwards said.
Author: Corey Robinson
Source: Jamaica Observer
