The Children’s Authority of T&T says it is working with police to investigate the brutal beating of a toddler, who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital last week.
The toddler was taken to hospital after allegedly being punched repeatedly in the stomach and back by a close female friend of her family last Saturday. (See editorial on Page A16)
The toddler suffered a ruptured colon during the beating and doctors worked on her in a two-and-a-half-hour emergency operation to repair the damage.
Yesterday, in a telephone interview with the Sunday Guardian, the toddler’s mother said there had been no change in her condition overnight. Doctors had told the parents there was a possibility the child might die.
“She is pretty much the same. They are saying it is still a possibility that she could die and she isn’t out of the clear yet. I’m all right and hopeful. I have to be hopeful, that’s my daughter.”
The toddler is scheduled to undergo another surgery tomorrow.
In a release yesterday, the authority said the matter had been brought to its attention as soon as the child was admitted to hospital.
“The Authority is horrified and strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the brutal abuse of the child,” the release stated.
The organisation said it was once again reminding the public that preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility.
“In fact, if you see, hear or are suspicious about the treatment of a child in your family or neighbourhood you should immediately make a report to the police or the Children’s Authority.”
The authority is calling on anyone with information about this incident to make a report to the police at 999 or to the Children’s Authority Hotline at 996 or 800-2014. KC