Cops detain 32-yr-old Cocorite man

A 32-year-old Cocorite man was yesterday detained at the St James Police Station following the death of a two-year-old baby boy. An autopsy on the body of Isaac Joseph, who would have celebrated his second birthday next Thursday, revealed that death was due to a ruptured stomach. The 16-year-old mother of the dead baby who was in grief yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, refused to have her picture  taken. She said when she left home on Saturday her son was full of life, laughing, and in good health. Nadine Joseph, the child’s mother, said her son’s death has left her in a state of shock. She also said she was seeking justice for the brutal manner in which her son was killed. Police reports revealed that Joseph left her son in the company of a man at a house in Cocorite around midday on Saturday. When she returned around 5 pm, Joseph said she discovered the almost lifeless body of her son alone in a bed in the house. The child had bruises on the shoulders, buttocks and upper lip.

A frantic Joseph sought the assistance of two neighbours, and the child who was frothing a green liquid was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He was transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex late Saturday when his condition deteriorated. The child died around 11 am Sunday. An autopsy  yesterday revealed the child’s body was principally marked from a belt beating , but that a heavy instrument was used to hit him on the stomach. A party of officers led by Sgt Moonilal and others carried out enquiries and detained a 32-year-old man. Up until late yesterday the man was being questioned by investigators. Police officers said yesterday  they will consult with Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson, today for directions in the matter.