UPDATE |Father held after body of 13-y-o daughter found at Clarendon home

The father of 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant, whose burnt and partially decomposed body was found behind her home in Bailleston, northern Clarendon, on Monday evening, is now in police custody.

The Old Harbour police in St Catherine confirmed that 46-year-old Lawrence ‘Marcus’ Sergeant was captured in the area late Friday following a manhunt that began after the shocking discovery.

Shantina, who attended Excelsior High before moving to Christiana High School in Manchester, was reported missing by her father on October 3.

Her remains were found three days later among burnt debris behind the house they shared.

Reports indicate that police were called to the area after residents noticed a foul smell and flies near the premises. The body was found with burn marks and in an advanced state of decomposition.

Residents of the quiet farming community were left horrified. “What a wicked act!” said farmer Clevon Messam, describing the tragedy as one that has “shaken everyone to the core.”

Shantina’s stepmother, Julieth Unis, said she was devastated by the discovery. She revealed that she left an abusive relationship with Lawrence a year ago but kept in touch because of their young son. She said Shantina had recently expressed fear of her father, telling a friend she was “afraid to go home.”

She said Shantina started living with her father this year.

According to Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester Police Division, investigators are exploring all leads, including unconfirmed reports that the teen may have been sexually abused. “We don’t have anything of evidential value to support that, but the father is in a position to help us move the investigation forward,” he said.

-Rasbert Turner

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