Boy, 6, brutalised
…CPA launches investigation
When teachers at a city primary school noticed marks on a male pupil’s neck, their attention was immediately aroused. At first, the marks appeared minor. However, what they did not expect was that this pupil had even more terrible marks all over his body, hidden right beneath his school uniform.
The painful welts on the little boy
Now, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) has launched an investigation into how this six-year-old boy ended up being brutally beaten and possibly scarred for life. According to information received, CPA learnt of the brutalisation after teachers called in with their discovery yesterday. The six-year-old boy reportedly turned out to school like any other day but teachers noticed something amiss; there were visible marks on his arms and neck. The young boy was also clearly discomfited with sitting and would loudly cry out, “ouch!” whenever he was touched. Cautiously, he was examined and welts were discovered all across his back. There were also marks on his stomach, neck, arms and a few on his face. The marks also extended to his buttocks while his tiny legs were visibly swollen. It was also noticed that he had old scars on his body from previous beatings. Reports indicate that the cruel beating was administered by a relative of the boy because he had seemingly been playing too boisterously. CPA confirmed that the boy was taken into its care and examined by a doctor to determine the extent of his injuries. CPA said, too, that the matter is being fully investigated. The brutal beating of the six-year-old by a family member comes less than two weeks after CPA would have concluded its observance of Child Protection Week. Interestingly, this year’s observance was under the theme “Strengthening Families to Protect Children”. CPA Director Ann Greene had emphasised time and time again that the home must be the place where children feel most protected. Unfortunately, she said, this is too often not the case. Last month, Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence, had shared that CPA had been called in to intervene in at least 350 cases involving children who have reportedly been abused, neglected or maltreated for the year thus far. At the same time, at least 128 children were placed in care outside of their homes.