Parents charged for not reporting daughter’s rape

A CARONI man and his wife, appeared before a Chaguanas magistrate last week charged with failing to report to the police the alleged rape of their 12-year-old daughter. A 49-year-old man, who is a close friend of the victim’s family, also appeared in court charged with raping the child. According to police sources, on Wednesday November 12, the 12-year-old girl primary school student visited the home of a family friend, where she was allegedly attacked by the 49-year-old man and raped. After the incident, the girl went home and told her parents. However, the couple did nothing.

The girl later told a close friend about the incident and a report was made to the Caroni police. Following investigations, her parents were arrested and charged on Monday with failing to report to the police a crime of sexual assault against a minor. The couple appeared on Tuesday before a Chaguanas Magistrate where they pleaded guilty. They are expected to reappear in Court for sentencing this week. The rape suspect was arrested on Wednesday and charged with having sex with a minor. He appeared before a Chaguanas Magistrate who adjourned the case to November 28. No bail was granted to the rape accused and he was remanded into custody.