‘WE HAVE EVIDENCE’
Charges loom as cops probe possible murder of Paulwell’s daughter, child’s mother
Published:Saturday | October 7, 2023 | 12:10 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
A UNITED States Navy petty officer, 34-year-old Leoda Bradshaw, is among four persons arrested in connection with the disappearance of politician Phillip Paulwell’s daughter and her mother.
The other three suspects are reportedly males.
It is believed that 10-month-old Sarayah Paulwell and her mother, 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson, were abducted from their home on Gilmour Drive in St Andrew on September 9.
Yesterday afternoon, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of the crime portfolio, gave an update on the probe, revealing that the quality of evidence amassed so far is sufficient to conclude that Bradshaw is a prime suspect.
“We have evidence that we could advance a case at this time, but we want to ensure that we cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’,” he said.
Bailey said that the police are to proceed with formal charges against Bradshaw, who shares a child with Paulwell.
It was not ascertained how long she has been enrolled in the US Navy.
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer who is typically equal to a sergeant in comparison to other military branches. Often they may be superior to a seaman, and subordinate to more senior non-commissioned officers such as chief petty officers.
STRONG EVIDENCE
Bailey expressed confidence that the evidence against Bradshaw and the others can stand up to any scrutiny in any court of law.
“This investigation has morphed into a very complex case of kidnapping and conspiracy [to murder] … . The investigation is still ongoing. However, it is at an advanced stage,” Bailey said.
He deemed the matter a very unfortunate situation, one that forces individuals with a conscience to cringe.
Bradshaw is represented by attorney-at-law Deborah Martin, who confirmed that her client was arrested at her home on Thursday night.
Martin said that her client is cooperating with the police and has professed her innocence.
Last night, Gleaner law enforcement sources indicated that the police were in Rockfort, Kingston, processing what they believed could be a “crime scene” linked to the disappearance of mother and daughter.
Investigators are at a location in the Rockfort community of eastern Kingston.
“We have a crime scene and we believe that the bodies were taken there and disposed of. It’s possible, too, that they were killed at that location,” said a member of the security forces who was not authorised to comment. “We are processing the scene. We don’t know what we will come up with.”
Earlier in the day, there were unofficial reports swirling that two bodies believed to be that of the missing persons were found at an undisclosed location in east Kingston.
Up to press time, however, the Corporate Communications Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force told The Gleaner that they were making checks.
Paulwell, a long-serving member of parliament and former chairman and vice-president of the People’s National Party, last made a public statement on the matter in Parliament last month.
“This is scary and comes at a time when I have been threatened by scammers who have hacked my phone and banking data and are demanding money to release them,” he said then.
On Friday, The Gleaner sought responses from a number of high-ranking PNP officials, but our news team was told by the individuals that they were just as confused as the public.
“Many of us are clueless … . I’m learning of the events through the media and social media,” one official said.
In the meantime, Bailey commended investigators for their commitment and tenacity in their continuous probe.
“Interest of the nation and interest of justice at heart, … the officers are committed to ensure that the family gets closure,” Bailey said of the investigative team.
The police continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact them.