A 35-year-old male relative of three-year-old Messi Gorkin is to be charged for the toddler’s death. The relative is to be charged with manslaughter, a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said yesterday.
On July 17, Gorkin’s body washed ashore after he had gone missing during a family outing to Williams Bay, Chaguaramas, the day before.
When Messi went missing around 5 pm on July 16, his family members initially feared he had been kidnapped. In fact, according to police reports, a call was not made to the T&T Coast Guard for help until about 9.30 pm. Shortly after 6 am the following day, Messi’s body was found floating in the waters off Pier 1.
An autopsy conducted at the Forensic Sciences Complex, St James, revealed the toddler died from drowning. His lungs were filled with water.
Following the autopsy Messi’s parents, Atiba Gorkin and Patrice Gibbs, were too distraught and inconsolable to talk about the death of their only child together.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard yesterday gave instructions to charge the relative with manslaughter.