Sexually abused Maxfield 12-y-o is ward of State
Published:Saturday | December 21, 2019 | 12:19 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has confirmed reports that the 12-year-old girl that a man was this week caught having sex with is a ward of the State.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the CPFSA also confirmed that the child was reintegrated with her father and grandmother, but the agency could not disclose any other details of the case.
“In keeping with our client confidentiality protocol, we are unable to provide details as to the reason this child was placed in state care. As you are aware, this is an active investigation and provision of any intricate details will compromise the case and identity of this child,” the statement read.
The Gleaner reported on Thursday that a Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew, mason was on the run after he was allegedly caught on Monday sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl whose family had employed him to provide finishing touches to their home.
A resident said that the girl confessed that the mason gave her $200.
REINTEGRATION STEPS
Commenting on the reintegration of children into their families, the CPFSA outlined the steps taken before this is done.
“Prior to a child being reintegrated with his/her family, preparation is done at all levels. The child is prepared through counselling and other intervention, school visits are conducted prior, during, and after this process.
“The children’s officer assigned conducts ongoing checks with the family to ensure that there is no breakdown in the placement. In this case, the officer assigned to this child conducted a school visit on Friday, December 13, and a home visit on Monday, December 16 as a usual part of our monitoring procedure,” the CPFSA said.
The child-welfare agency said that children placed in an institution are monitored by a team of officers who conduct announced and unannounced visits to facilities islandwide. Monitoring is also done at foster homes, in holiday placements, adoption, supervision and reintegration with families.
“Every child who is placed in the formal child protection system is paired with a social worker/children’s officer who conducts regular visits to monitor the child’s progress and ensure that the child’s care plan is being followed,” the agency said.
Approximately 15,000 abuse cases were referred to the CPFSA in 2018 alone.