Autopsies confirm twins drowned

The autopsy which came two days after the babies were found dead at their grandmother’s Valencia home, was carried out by pathologist Dr Eastlyn Mc Donald Burris, who concluded death was caused by asphyxia consistent with drowning.

Police sources said while they have ruled out foul play in the incident, investigations are continuing and a report is being prepared to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for instructions on whether or not criminal charges should be laid.

With the babies’ mother unable to reach Trinidad in time for the autopsies, two other female relatives showed up at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday to formally identify the bodies prior to the autopsies being carried out. The babies’ mother was supposed to have arrived in Trinidad last evening. The twins were US citizens.

In a brief interview, the female relatives who asked not to be identified, said counselling was being arranged for their six-year-old relative who was the last person to see the twins alive.

According to police reports, the 51-year-old grandmother left the six-year-old child at home alone with the twins around 9.30 am on Monday.

The six-year-old subsequently placed the twins in a bathtub filled with water to bathe them, when she (the six-year-old) left the twins in the tub to answer the telephone which was ringing. When she returned, she found the twins motionless in the tub. Police said the child took the twins out, dried and clothed them and then placed the twins on a bed where she tried to feed them.

A babysitter who arrived at the house only to find the doors locked, spoke to the six-year-old and on learning what happened, ran to the nearby Valencia Health Centre for help. The front door of the house had to be broken down and nurses failed in their effort to to resuscitate the twins.

Police sources told Newsday that under the Offences Against The Person Act, Chapter 11:08, a criminal charge can be laid against a person in such an incident once instructions are given to do so by the DPP. Cpl Christopher Fuentes of the Valencia Police Station is continuing investigations.