Police probe abuse of mentally challenged teen

Police officers investigating a report of child abuse against the 17-year-old mentally challenged youth found wandering near the Western Main Road, Cocorite, on Monday, have instructed officials at Memisa Centre, where he is staying, not to hand over the boy to a female relative. However, an official at the Centre told Newsday that the Centre is crowded and in dire need of more space. The official said that while Kendall Alexander will not be turned away, he is concerned about the lack of space at the Centre. The Centre accommodates 40 persons from age 15 to 50.

Alexander, a deaf mute, was discovered roaming the streets with a chain and padlock lodged around his waist. He was taken to Memisa Centre at the Heights of Guanapo, where he remained up until yesterday. When Newsday visited the home, Alexander was surrounded by other mentally challenged inmates at the Centre. He was given a haircut and appeared to be happy. An official at the home said that Alexander was a former inmate at the Centre but was removed by a relative three years ago. They claimed that they were shocked to learn about the conditions under which Alexander was being kept, and added that although the Centre is faced with a shortage of space, arrangements were made to have the teenager housed. He is being constantly monitored because he is known for wandering away from the home.

Alexander resided with his mother at Marabella and reportedly wandered away from the house. When he was found on Monday and medically examined at the Arima hospital, there were abrasions to the forearms, wrists and both sides of the lower back. It was suggested that the injuries were inflicted with a blunt trauma of mild to moderate form. Police investigators told Newsday that they will be interviewing a female relative of the boy and then a decision will be taken on his future.