Investigating officers have obtained an official statement from a 28-year-old mother of two who is alleging she was abused by a relative for over a decade.
The statement was taken from her on Sunday following an interview with head of the Central Division, Snr Supt Jayson Forde. Investigating officers also were able to obtain medical records from the respective health institutions, including the Chaguanas Health Facility, where she sought treatment after several attacks to add to their file.
The woman and her two children — ages seven and five — are now said to be under police guard at an undisclosed location after the TTPS' intervention. Police sources said yesterday an arrest was imminent.
Early on Saturday morning, the woman posted on Facebook, recent photographs she took of herself showing blue black marks, cuts, bruises and a bloodshot eye that she sustained last week during an alleged confrontation between the two. The young woman is the wife of an auto dealer from Chaguanas.
When the T&T Guardian went to the business place yesterday, the businessman was not there and his employees said he could not be reached.
When told the T&T Guardian was enquiring about the allegations of abuse surrounding their boss, one of the workers said he (his boss) was currently carrying on discussions with his attorneys and there was nothing more to say on the issue.
When the T&T Guardian called the personal cell number belonging to the businessman, a male voice answered and took a message and said he would have it delivered to him (the businessman) personally.
He also said he would ask him to return the call but up to last night the businessman had not contacted the T&T Guardian.
Speaking out publicly for the first time on her alleged experience, the woman claimed she has been a victim of domestic violence for the last 12 years, having got married when she was 16 years old.
The most recent incident occurred last Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) when she was allegedly stabbed in the face and hand. She was treated at the Chaguanas Health Facility.
Also, on Wednesday evening, her two children were allegedly dropped off at the Chaguanas Police Station without food, water, clothes and money by a close male relative.
The following day (Thursday), the woman said she had been badly beaten in front of a Charlieville car dealership. On the business’ Facebook page on Saturday, the woman admitted she had tried to walk away countless times but was always forced to remain because of the alleged threats.
The woman’s postings were shared across the board by almost all who read and viewed them on Facebook.
Thousands of comments were also made in support of the woman and her children.
On Sunday, the TTPS issued an official statement saying the woman will receive counselling from the Victim and Witness Support Unit and the children will be referred to the Child Protection Unit and the Childrens' Authority.