A fourteen-year-old girl is now suffering from head and throat injuries which she received while attempting to evade two men on her way home on Friday.
The teen of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), had reportedly visited the library in that area after which she headed over to her teacher’s residence to receive further assistance in order to complete her assignment in a timely manner.
However, as she was returning home on her bicycle she heard two males, whose faces were masked, screaming and running towards her. Speaking about the incident, President of the Guyana Women Miners’ Association (GWMA), Urica Primus explained that the teenager began to pedal faster but the men continued to pursue her.
“It was actually quite a long chase because she stopped riding and started to run… she dropped her school bag and ran all the way to Takutu River but the men threw a wood hitting her to the head. She fell into the river and she called for over 15 minutes for assistance.”
Primus explained that it was a fisherman in the area that heard the child’s screams and went to her rescue.
“She was screaming for help and there were a number of persons there. Sadly, she said between everything, she could hear them mocking her. Some persons said that she was on drugs or she got problems but she was just a 14-year-old girl that was running for her life.”
She also stated that the teen’s mother took the child to the hospital in Lethem on Friday where they “got very little assistance”, hence the reason the GWMA intervened.
“She was admitted and discharged and now her throat is swelling and we are trying to get her back to the hospital…so we are trying to call ahead to see if when she goes there now someone can be ready to receive her.”
Meanwhile, Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Kevin Adonis explained that the teenager was reportedly returning home from classes that were on the other side of the border.
“It was while she was crossing the Takutu Bridge, the incident occurred. The two men were returning to Brazil after reportedly working in Tabatinga area. However, from what I was told, the child, while trying to evade them and slipped and ended up in the river. Another child, who witnessed the event, related this,” the Commander stated.
In addition, he noted that police ranks in his Division are investigating the matter, and although it may not have occurred in the Guyana Police Force’s jurisdiction, statements are being taken and the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the way forward. (Kristen Macklingam)
