Trinidad: Father who killed 8 year-old daughter was out on bail for rape

(Trinidad Express) Michael Maynard, the man who killed his eight-year-old daughter then died by suicide was also an accused rapist out on bail.

This was disclosed in a statement issued today by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith in response to reports that his officers had not acted on reports that the murdered child Makisha Thomas, and her brother were being abused.

Griffith reminded citizens that when they see something, they must say something, and not wait until someone is killed.

 
He said it has become the norm that after a tragic end to an incident, people are speaking out about what they knew and what had been going on for years with the victim, yet still they made no reports to the Police.

He said checks were made with the Child Protection Unit (CPU) of the TTPS shows that no reports against Maynard were made at either the Morvant or Chaguanas Police Stations.

There were two reports made against Maynard.

On September 10th, 2011, he was arrested and charged with assaulting Maysonia Thomas, and his eight-month-old daughter. That matter remained pending for years.

On April 6th, 2019, a report was made about threats and child neglect. This was made by Celestine Oliver, the sister of Michael Maynard. WPC Atkinson of the CPU spoke to Steven Maynard (uncle) and Rashida Munroe. At the time, two children were living with their grandmother at Kelly Village, Caroni. The children denied that they were beaten and there were no marks of violence on the bodies.

Checks with the CID also revealed that no such reports were made.

Griffith said that “everyone in the village, family, friends, and colleagues claim to know that there has been abuse for years. Two reports were made and they were investigated.”

He said investigations revealed no further reports were made. “

But it seems that there are people knew that something was happening and they failed to step forward”.

 
Griffith said the TPPS are not mind-readers.

“To the people who knew what was happening and failed to step forward, you were not helping the victim. It is too late. If you see something, say something”.

There was another report made against Mayard. In 2018, a report of rape was made against Maynard. He was arrested and charged, and released on bail. As part of his bail conditions, he had to report to the Caroni Police Station once per week. That matter was also pending.

Griffith said when reports were made against Maynard, they were investigated by the Police and action was taken.

“We investigated, we charged, we did our job and he was given bail.”