By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 23-year-old mother appeared unfazed as she was sentenced to one year in prison yesterday for child abandonment.
She admitted leaving her two young sons alone in a dilapidated building for two days.
During this time, the defendant says she was with her boyfriend while her kids were left without food or water.
Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged the woman, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the children, with two counts of cruelty to children.
Authorities reportedly rescued an eight-year-old and a three-year-old boy from an abandoned and unsanitary building in Nassau Village on January 14. After the defendant was arrested in connection with this incident, she said they were left alone for two days. The older boy had been caring for his younger sibling and indicated he hadn’t been in school for a while.
The children were placed in the children’s emergency hostel.
After pleading guilty to the charge, the defendant explained that she was with her boyfriend while her kids were alone and said she got “distracted” while staying with him.
She further claimed that she had difficulties reaching out to the Ministry of Social Services to provide for the children and that she lives with them in the same abandoned building. The defendant also said that neighbours would sometimes give her children food.
When questioned by Magistrate Vogt-Evans about her actions, the defendant said she felt bad and was sorry for what she’d done.
Prosecutor ASP Lewis told the court that the defendant has a history of such negligent behaviour. The defendant disagreed.
The defendant asked that the court place her on probation with counselling. She also requested help taking care of her children.
Magistrate Vogt-Evans called the defendant irresponsible and said she did not appear remorseful for the danger she put her children through. The magistrate also said the defendant’s mitigation did not justify the neglect and abandonment of her children.
The defendant was sentenced to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, during which time her children will remain in protective custody.
Upon her release, the defendant must receive counselling and have supervised visitation with her offspring. The Ministry of Social Services will then decide whether she regains custody of the children.
The accused was given the right to appeal her sentencing.
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