Cops give baby Alicia to granny

Balaar Kissoon could not contain her joy when her granddaughter was handed over to her by the team of officers who rescued the child. The ecstatic grandmother said her prayers had been answered, and she thanked the police for their heroic efforts which resulted in baby Alicia being rescued. She said that while she is grieving over the death of daughter Reena Kissoon, she is happy to have Alicia, and will do all in her power to ensure that the child is well taken care of.

Balaar, who lives at Chin Chin Road, Cunupia, told Newsday that joy returned to her life on seeing her granddaughter for the first time yesterday.

However, she is calling on members of the public to assist her in any way possible. Balaar said she is "an ordinary housewife" and assistance in the form of diapers, milk and clothing for baby Alicia will be greatly appreciated. She described Alicia as being "the spitting image" of her mother Reena.

Yesterday, the child laid peacefully in her arms and yawned several times before dozing off. Describing her granddaughter as perfect, Balaar called on the police to ensure that justice was served, adding that her daughter did not deserve to die. Kissoon’s daughter Reena, 25, was found murdered at her La Horquetta house on Saturday afternoon. When the body was found, baby Alicia was missing.

An autopsy on Monday revealed that Kissoon’s throat had been slit and she had been chopped twice. Police investigators believe she was killed in the living room of the house, and her body dragged into the bedroom last Thursday. The killer then took baby Alicia. On Monday, Balaar Kissoon pleaded with the persons who snatched her grandchild to bring the baby to her. At about 4 pm on Tuesday, a party of officers led by acting Insp Johnny Abraham, including Cpls Lucas, Francis and PC Michael Lewis, surrounded a house at Maracas St Joseph and rescued baby Alicia. A 24-year-old woman, who was taking care of the baby, was arrested and was up until yesterday being quizzed at the St Joseph Police Station.