2 boys held for Sean’s murder

The Second Year pupil of Waterloo Hindu Primary School, was found dead in a canefield some 300 feet away from his Henry Street West, Orange Valley home on Tuesday, after disappearing from home on Sunday.

An autopsy report revealed Sean died from internal chest and abdominal injuries as well as haemorrhaging due to a foreign object forcibly inserted into the body’s rectum. According to a police report, police officers attached to the Homicide Bureau (South) detained the two teens who live in Sean’s neighbourhood.

Newsday was told that one boy was originally from Morvant and recently moved to the Waterloo area. Yesterday, Snr Supt Barnett Mayers — Head of Central Division — and Insp Norbert Sookram visited the family and offered counselling to Sean’s distraught mother Pauline Lumfai. Mayers told Newsday his visit was routine. “We are here to touch base and make sure all is well with the family. And also to give them the assurance that we are doing our best to solve the case and have the person or persons arrested and charged,” Mayers said.

Commissioner of Police (CoP) Trevor Paul has expressed his anger and indignation over the brutal murder of Sean. Paul said the investigation is being undertaken by the newly reorganised Homicide Bureau which is headed by Ag Assistant Commissioner of Police Maurice Piggot. Paul added that the Bureau will have the full support of the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) and the various Police Intelligence agencies.

“Every effort will be made to track down the killer and bring him/her to justice with great expediency,” Paul promised. News of the detention of the boys came amidst national expressions of outrage at the rape and murder of another young boy.

The Keith Noel Committee said it recoiled in horror at the attitude of the police who “callously” dismissed Lumfai’s concern when the child disappeared on Sunday afternoon. Lumfai said it is only when she went to the US Embassy (as Sean was an American citizen) that some action was taken. The committee demanded accountability from the country’s leaders.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph expressed “moral outrage” and shock over the brutal killing of the child and said he could not fathom someone doing to anyone what had been done to Sean. He said he had spoken to Paul and told him to leave no stone unturned in determining who was responsible for the heinous crime.

Crime Stoppers International head Steve Walrath described Sean’s murder as an “absolute tragedy.”

Lumfai spent yesterday sitting on a couch which she now calls her bed. “That should never have happened to my son or anybody as a matter of fact,” she said.

“My son had the capacity to love. Ever since he was a baby we slept on the same bed. Now, I can’t sleep on that bed again,” she cried.

Lumfai described the death of her son as the worst evil and called for justice. “This is not just monstrous, but evil in the worst form. I don’t know what punishment should be given to the criminals but at least they must pay the full price for what they did with my son,” she said.

Lumfai said she had no choice but to draw strength from God. “Sometimes I feel like I could go and meet my son. But I know someday I will. He is always with me. I still talk to him and he still talks to me,” she said.

“Prayers are the only reason why I am still alive. I have a deya lit 24 hours in Sean’s room and I pray for his soul. I know he is happy where he is,” the grieving mother said.

The funeral takes place today in a Hindu ceremony at his house.

Lumfai said she has selected some of Sean’s favourite toys to place in his coffin. “He loved anything with wheels, so some of his favourite cars and trucks, I will put in his coffin.”

Lumfai urged parents to keep an eye on their children. “Trust no one, not even your neighbours. Keep an eye on your kids, don’t ever let them out of your eyesight.” Sean’s classmates at the Waterloo Hindu School wore sad faces yesterday. Sean’s favourite story book The Lion King, was still lying on his desk with other story books. The children, clearly confused, picked up the book and aimlessly looked at the pictures. A senior teacher called for justice saying, “this crime wave has gone too far. Innocent children are being killed by sick people out there. Something must be done and quickly or else we will lose more little ones. This is a horrific experience that words cannot describe.”

A Web site was launched yesterday calling on the country to wear black for Sean’s funeral today.