CPFSA horrified by rape and murder of 10-y-o girl in Trelawny

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it is horrified and deeply saddened by the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Trelawny on Tuesday.

The partially nude body of Shani Coke, affectionately called ‘Kaidra’, was found with her throat slashed on a dirt track in bushes in Tyre district near Troy.

Police say a mob attack followed the discovery, resulting in the death of a man identified as Delroy Coke. 

Residents accused him of raping and killing the child. 

His father was also attacked, but his condition is not known. 

Coke was a student at Troy Primary.

The CPFSA, in a statement today, said the tragic loss of another child is a devastating reminder that far too many of Jamaica's children continue to face unimaginable acts of violence at the hands of adults who should instead be focused on their care and protection.

Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams-Thomas, said the agency mourns with the child's family and the wider community as they grapple with this heartbreaking tragedy.

"There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy. This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams; her parents should have been given the chance to see her graduate from primary school, from university, to see her walk down the aisle. Instead, she was made to become a statistic, another victim of unspeakable violence. We cannot continue to accept these horrific acts as a normal part of our society. Every time a child is abused or murdered, we fail in our collective duty to protect those who depend on us most," she said.

She further stated that the tragedy must also serve as a national call to action and urged every Jamaican to reject the culture of violence against children and instead embrace the shared responsibility to safeguard their wellbeing.

"This must be a turning point for Jamaica. We must cultivate an environment where the protection of our children is an immediate priority, transcending the rhetoric that simply designates them as the future. Every child is precious, every life has immeasurable value, and every adult has a responsibility to intervene, to report abuse, to speak up and to act. If we truly believe that our children are our greatest asset, then our actions must begin to reflect those words," she said.

Adams-Thomas also spoke out against the actions of the residents.

"Jungle justice, however, is not the appropriate form of intervention and is not supported by the CPFSA."

The CPFSA said its first responders are on the ground conducting an investigation to determine whether there are other children connected to the family whose safety and well-being require immediate intervention.

It added that its officers are also assessing the psychosocial needs of the child's family and stand ready to provide the necessary support during this unimaginably difficult time.

The agency said it continues to work closely with the police as investigations progress and urged anyone with information that may assist the investigation to cooperate fully with the police.

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