News Briefs

Holness in Washington for high-level talks

Prime Minister Andrew Holness departed Jamaica Tuesday afternoon for a working visit in Washington, DC.

During his visit to the United States, he is expected to meet with high-level officials within the US government. He will also have discussions with the diaspora.

The prime minister is expected to return to the island on April 3.

During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang will be in charge of the Government.

Probe into 1-y-o's death

The Clarendon police are investigating the death of a one-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen from a bed.

The infant has been identified as Steven West of Pedro district, Crofts Hill, in the parish.

Reports from the Crofts Hill police are that about 3:30 p.m., they received a call that the infant was discovered unresponsive in bed.

The body of the child was removed to the morgue pending postmortem.

Both the mother and stepfather were taken into custody.

"Information is that the infant fell from the bed (Sunday night), but was not taken to receive medical attention. In addition, citizens in the area indicated that they would have heard the infant crying all day [on Monday,]" a police source disclosed.

The police are investigating the case as a sudden, unexplained death.

The incident is the second tragedy to have jolted the northern Clarendon community in consecutive days.

On Sunday, 13-year-old Omarion Haniford was stabbed to death. An uncle has been taken into custody in relation to his murder.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.