Heartbroken ‘Jakes’ blames Rosalee - But says she would never hurt their children

When 'Jakes' got a call from his children's school last Thursday, he never imagined it would be to tell him his kids were being taken away.

Earlier that morning, Jakes, the partner of TikTok influencer Rosalee, had dropped off his two children at school as usual, returning to his home in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew, unaware that his life was about to turn upside down.

"Mi get a call from the school fi come quick because CPFSA come fi the pickney dem," he told THE STAR. "By the time me reach dem gone with mi kids."

The CPFSA -- Child Protection and Family Services Agency -- is a government agency charged with the responsibility of protecting children. The agency said the children were removed "following an ongoing investigation into the alleged abuse of her two children, which was further heightened by a recent post made by the influencer stating that she is thinking of killing them".

A day after losing custody, Jakes opened up about the emotional toll of the ordeal.

"Mi not even sleep last night fi know seh mi yute dem nuh deh yah," he said. "From mi carry them go school Thursday me nuh see them back."

Jakes recalled the chain of events leading up to the removal.

"Wednesday them call and say they have a screen record of Rosalee saying she a guh stab up me and the pickney dem, and bun dung the house, and that they wanted to talk to Rosalee and me. Them did want meet at the office, but me did a expect them woulda come a the yard first, so dem would have a better understanding, and talk to the pickney dem one-on-one," he said.

The children, ages seven and 10, are well-liked at school "not because a them mother, but for getting awards and doing dem schoolwork," Jakes said.

The agency has said publicly it had received multiple anonymous reports of alleged abuse and that Rosalee was consistently uncooperative during its investigation.

Jakes did not shy away from laying the blame squarely at the feet of his partner, who he fondly calls June.

"A June cause dis, because she can't expect fi say something like that, with so much people a watch, and nuh report it," he said.

According to CPFSA CEO Laurette Adams-Thomas, the agency escalated its response after the livestream and is legally mandated under the Child Care and Protection Act to secure children who are alleged to be in need of care and protection.

Jakes insists he understands the CPFSA's duty, but says he is the children's father and wants them home.

"I can't blame CPFSA cause dem a look out fi the well-being a them children, we deh in a world where people a hurt them kids out of frustration, but me a dem father and unless me dead mi nah go mek nothing happen to them. Moreover we deh fi 12 years, and June [Rosalee] nah hurt her pickney dem."

He bites back tears,he spoke about the routines that have been ripped from him.

"A me get them ready every morning, iron them clothes, give them breakfast and carry them go school. So imagine them go school and nuh come home," he said.

Jakes said he has spoken with his children via telephone and they are longing to come home. He can't wait to have them in his presence once more.

"Mi talk to them over the phone and them want come home, especially the little one.

"I am willing to do whatever it tek fi get my children home," he said.