Sad Mother’s Day for mom of slain 9-year-old

As the crowd gathered on Job Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine, yesterday, the sadness and rage were overwhelming.

Residents stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting for answers, their hearts heavy. Even though it was Mother's Day, instead of celebration, the community was wrapped in mourning for nine-year-old Kelsey Cassidy Ferrigon. Kelsey, described as a bright student of St John's Primary School, was found dead at her home last Friday. Her partially nude body was reportedly discovered stuffed inside a barrel, with bruises to her head and private area. The accused has been identified as Giovanni Ellis, otherwise called 'Coolie Man'. Up to press time, the authorities were still trying to locate him.

"Mi cya believe say a Mother's Day and we out yah comforting a mother who just lost har baby inna the worst way. Job Lane nuh have a reputation fi rape and murder of an innocent child," one woman muttered, tears in her eyes. Beside her, two of Kelsey's little friends came to pay their respects. They ran into the arms of the grieving mother, and the sight broke every heart present. Kelsey's mother sat dazed, unblinking, as residents and ministers offered hugs and whispered condolences.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, a Spanish Town native, addressed the crowd with raw emotion.

"There are certain crimes that are an assault on the sensibilities of the people," Holness said. "The people in this community certainly would not countenance this. And based on your report that there is incredible restraint, I think we should commend the community for supporting the police, acting with restraint, and putting their faith and trust in the police."

But even as he commended the calm response of residents, he didn't shy away from raising concerns at Jamaica's justice system.

"The person who is alleged to have committed the crime is someone who is a repeat offender. Someone who is out on bail," Holness revealed. Ellis was previously arrested in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl. He was held for nearly two years but never charged and eventually granted bail

"The mother of the child who perished pointed out that she had no idea that this man, essentially her neighbour, was out on bail for rape," Holness said. "That speaks to certain weaknesses in our criminal justice system." Holness hinted at possible reforms to make Jamaica's sex offenders registry accessible to the public.

Laurette Adams-Thomas, CEO of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), confirmed that psychological support is already being deployed.

"The role of the CPFSA is to ensure that this family is provided with the level of intervention that is needed, be it psychological support, which I'm certain that this family is going to need at this time," she explained. "This is a heart-rending situation especially during Child Month."

She confirmed that Kelsey's 16-year-old brother, who discovered her body, was severely traumatised.

"He will definitely need trauma counselling. It's not something where you just have a ready-made treatment plan. Each situation is different," she said.

"The entire community needs counselling. The school family needs support. This case brings to mind another recent incident in Spanish Town where a child was battered almost beyond recognition. It's too much."