A Guyanese woman is calling for an investigation into Ste Madeleine Police Station officers over their handling of a 17-year-old schoolgirl who was reportedly abandoned by her mother this week.
Rhonda Daniels said she was introduced to the teenager while visiting the police station on Monday afternoon.
“I walked into the station and saw her sitting next to the front desk. I spoke to an officer and they told me her mother had put her out of their house and she had nowhere to go,” Daniels said.
Daniels said after having a brief conversation with the girl, the female officer asked her if she was willing to allow her to spend a night at her home in Gasparillo.
The mother of three said she contacted the teen’s mother that evening and she (the mother) refused to allow the teen to return home.
“She said her daughter was giving trouble since she turned 16 and she decided to put her out after she broke a television set at their home over the weekend.
“I can’t believe a mother could be so heartless,” an emotional Daniels said.
The hairdresser claimed that since taking in the teenager, she contacted police several times for them to intervene between the mother and daughter.
“I can’t afford to have her live with me permanently but I won’t just throw her out on the street,” Daniels said.
She said she contacted officials from the Children’s Authority on Wednesday for their intervention in the teenager’s case.
“They sounded very concerned but they said the case needs to be referred to them by the police,” Daniels said.
She said she wanted to highlight the issue as she was frustrated by the constant inaction by police and felt that public exposure of her plight may prompt them to take the case seriously.
“I just want what is best for the child and for her to find a safe home and for her to complete her education,” Daniels said.