Woman held for trafficking boy, 13

A Lyng Street, Charlestown woman was on Thursday taken into police custody following a five- week probe into the allegations of a 13-year-old boy who claimed that during his stay with her, she exposed him to prostitution. Last month, the City court had ordered a trafficking in person investigation on behalf of the teenager who had relayed the sordid story. The lad had initially appeared in court on a wandering charge. He had explained that he was sexually exploited by the female adult with whom he had stayed during his period away from home. The Charlestown teenager alleged that whilst he was away from home during April 4 and April 13, he was being trafficked by a female who would send him alongside renowned male commercial sex workers to participate in the trade. The boy has explained that the woman would dress him in female clothing and send him off to different locations where he would engage in prostitution on a nightly basis with a number of men. A medical examination conducted on the child has thus far confirmed that his anus has been ruptured. Reports from a reliable source indicate that at the age of eleven the boy was molested by a male neighbour. He then began cross-dressing and roaming the city streets. July, last year his roaming habits landed him before the courts to face a wandering charge. He was released on probation and placed into a cousin’s custody. He also received counseling at the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA). On April 4, last the lad wandered from home once again and was brought back to his residence. But on April 11, he left again. Consequently, he was once more charged for wandering. According to reports, during that period he resided with an adult female who allegedly turned him to prostitution. At the court hearings, the young boy claimed that he left his mother’s home because he was uncomfortable there since that is where he was abused. His wandering case is being heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. On May 27, a probation report was prepared by a Probation Officer and presented to the said Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. The court, in light of the revelations, had ordered an investigation into the allegations of the teenaged boy. Additionally, CCPA, the Red Thread (a non-governmental organisation that champions for victims of TIP) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security have been alerted to the situation involving the teen. He is currently being held at the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The police made the arrest on Thursday and sources have confirmed that the teenager has fingered the woman, as the perpetrator.