Woman jailed for failing to report child abuse

A 59-year-old hospital matron has been sentenced to three months in prison after admitting that she knew her underage child was allegedly being abused by her husband but failed to report the matter to the police.

The Corporate Area health worker was charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse and pleaded guilty at a previous court appearance.

When she appeared before Acting Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle in the St Catherine Parish Court on Monday, September 7, 2026, the court ruled that a custodial sentence was warranted after reviewing the file and circumstances of the case.

The matron was told that she received the three-month sentence because she pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time.

According to the facts presented, the 14-year-old complainant reported to the accused that she was being abused by the complainant’s husband.

However, the matter was not reported to the police for action.

The alleged abuse later came to light after the complainant disclosed her ordeal at school, prompting the police to be notified.

An investigation followed, leading to the arrest of the accused.

She was subsequently charged after a question-and-answer session.

Meanwhile, the substantive charges against the husband are before the St Catherine Circuit Court.

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