The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A RELATIVE of 11-year-old Marco Archer who was murdered by a paedophile, yesterday recalled the horrific experience in the days leading up to the discovery of the child’s lifeless body.

Just moments before legislators suggested amendments to increase the protection of children in the country, Tanzia Humes, Marco’s sister, said while no one could save him, the family is comforted that his death sparked action from authorities.

The amendment is called Marco’s Law and will see the Marco alert implemented. The system is expected to work similarly to the Amber Alert in the United States.

Marco disappeared on September 23, 2011. He was found five days later in bushes in western New Providence.

“It gives us some comfort knowing that Marco’s death was not in vain,” Ms Humes said, “and that his death in the end helped to implement a law in our country that will help protect our children’s innocence and their lives.”

Feelings of helplessness for almost a week while the search for Marco continued, Ms Humes said made the family vocal in defending the rights of children.

“What helped drive us is that we were put in a situation where we couldn’t have done anything.

“We didn’t know where he was and everywhere we went we wasn’t successful. We couldn’t find him. We felt handicapped.

“The only thing that we could have done is make sure that if it was to happen again something could be done. That was the only thing that we could have done because we couldn’t save him. Marco’s life was not in vain. He was sacrificed to save the other children.”

An amendment to the Child Protection Act will ensure that when a child is reported missing there will be no delay in authorities taking action. The Marco alert will be enacted at such time. As it stands a mandatory wait 24 to 48 hours must pass before parents are allowed to report a child missing.

A sexual offenders registry also will be implemented. Offenders will be committed to the list for no less than 10 years. The Prison Superintendent will take on the role of registrar. Those charged with rape, sexual intercourse with a minor or the disabled, and incest are among the offences that will be registered.