A fifteen-year-old old girl was moments ago remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre for the murder of 19 children who died in the recent fire at Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory. It should be noted that because of her age, the teen suspect’s identity cannot be released.
The girl was charged by investigtors for Murder, contrary to section 100 (1) (c) (iii) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, chapter 08:01 committed on Nicholeen Robinson, Martha D’Andrade, Shorline Bellarmine, Eulanda Carter, Adonijah Jerome, Subrina John, Cleoma Simon, Tracil Thomas, Andrea Roberts, Lisa Roberts, Rita Jeffery, Loreen Evans, Delicia Edwards, Belnisa Evans, Lorita Williams, Mary D’Andrade, Omefa Evans, Natalie Bellarmine and Arianna Edwards.
The charge stated that on May 21, 2023 at the dormitory located in Region Eight, she murdered the 19 children.
The accused appeared via Zoom at Mahdia Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce. She was not required to plea, and was remanded until her case is heard again on July 4, 2023 for statements.
After reviewing the case file, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC had recommended to the Police to institute 19 murder charges against the teenager who allegedly set fire to the female dormitory which claimed the lives of 18 girls and a 5-year-old boy.
According to reports, the fire broke out last week Sunday night in the dormitory, which housed 57 female students. The dormitory was a single-story concrete building, measuring approximately 100 feet by 40 feet, with grilled windows and five doors.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF), alleged that the child deliberately started the fire after her cell phone was confiscated by the dormitory’s supervisor and a teacher.
According to eyewitness accounts from the female students, they were asleep when they were awoken by screams. Upon investigation, they discovered smoke and flames originating from the bathroom area, rapidly spreading throughout the building.
Some students managed to escape, but others suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
In the aftermath of the fire, the injured students were rushed to Mahdia District Hospital for medical treatment. Tragically, five female students succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The fire completely destroyed the building, and a search operation recovered the charred remains of 14 individuals.
On Saturday, two of the girls in critical condition were flown to New York to seek further medical attention.
The Government of Guyana (GOG) has received DNA results matching the names of thirteen bodies from the Mahdia fire tragedy and all the bodies were positively identified.
