Abandoned children kept at child care centre

A BITTER custody battle, expected to be heard this Thursday at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, is said to be the reason behind the abandonment of five young children, who had to be rescued by officials of the Social Services Department from their Palmiste, South Trinidad home last Thursday.

The children, three girls and two boys, aged five, seven, eight, 11 and 12, have been placed at a Child Care Centre in South Trinidad, pending the outcome of the court case. The children are said to be doing well and have no major medical problems. According to sources close to the case, neighbours reported that the children’s mother walked out of the home taking her 13-year-old daughter and leaving her other five children in the care of the father, Stephen Ramsawak, a straightener and painter. The five children, were reportedly left home alone on numerous occasions, while their father was away at work in various locations.

The latest incident occurred last week, when the children were left unattended at their home for four days, while their father sought work in Penal. However, when Newsday visited the children yesterday, they seemed to be in a jovial mood and were seen playing among themselves. And while no mention was made of their parents, the children did not seem willing to leave their new home. The children confirmed to Newsday that they were left home alone last week, although when officials from Social Services went to the home last Thursday, their father was home at the time. The children also said that they ate food provided by their neighbours, during the four days last week, when they were left home alone. Social Services officials have said the children would remain at the child care centre pending the outcome of the case which is scheduled for this Thursday. The children are expected to be in court this Thursday, when a magistrate is expected to rule on their fate.