News Briefs

Psych test ordered for mom after fire deaths

A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for the St James woman who was recently charged in connection with the deaths of her two sons in a fire which destroyed their home in Paradise, Norwood, on November 1.

Shantel Brown, 28, who was charged with child neglect, faced the St James Parish Court on Thursday and was remanded and ordered to return on November 19.

Her two sons, eight-year-old Javanchi Lauderdale Palmer and one-year-old Tyler McLeod, perished in the blaze. Two daughters – a six-year-old and Tyler’s twin sister – sustained injuries.

The police report that Brown was among a group of persons drinking and gallivanting along the roadway when a woman ran to the location and raised an alarm that Brown’s house was on fire.

When the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that the four children had been left alone inside the house.

The charred remains of the two boys were later found.

Hopeton Bucknor

 

 

Suspected suicide in Clarendon

Derron Sitteram, otherwise called ‘Mark’, of Dampie district in Clarendon, is suspected to have committed suicide at his home on Sunday.

Reports from the May Pen Police are that about 4 p.m., residents found Sitteram hanging from his roof with a piece of rope tied around his neck.

The police were summoned and he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigations continue.

 

 

St Ann teen on murder charge

A 17-year-old boy of Bellfield district in Runaway Bay, St Ann, has been charged with murder.

Reports from the Runaway Bay Police are that about 8:50 a.m. last Friday, 19-year-old Okar Campbell was among of group of persons who went to pick ackees in the community.

An argument reportedly developed between Campbell and the teen and the teenager allegedly stabbed Campbell in the upper body.

Campbell was pronounced dead at hospital.

A court date has not yet been set for the accused.

 

 

JET against delaying styrofoam ban

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is adding its voice to call for Cabinet to dismiss appeals for the delay of the January 1, 2020 ban on styrofoam.

A group of local distributors and manufacturers have reportedly written to the Government seeking the delay.

The ban blocks the importation of styrofoam food and beverage containers.

JET says that the scheduled implementation of the ban is a progressive move by the Government towards improved solid waste management policy and regulation, which should be adhered to and strongly enforced.

“Styrofoam poses a particular challenge to solid waste management in Jamaica. It is currently in abundant supply. It is not recyclable, it is not biodegradable, and it typically breaks into small pieces once it is thrown away, making it extremely difficult to clean up when it’s carelessly discarded in our environment,” said JET CEO Suzanne Stanley

“This ban is long overdue,” she added.