How many more must die?

Police officials have refused to speculate about the ongoing investigation as the cause of death is yet to be determined.

Declining to speak to the media while at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday, Daniel’s relatives would only say “the family is not doing so well right now” and “we don’t want to speculate about how he died.”

Daniel, a standard two student of the Gasparillo Govern-ment Primary School, was reported missing on Friday night and his body was later found floating in a river off the Tarouba Link Road on Sunday.

Upset by the lack of legislation to protect children, former Independent Senator and Chairman of the Coalition for the Rights of the Child, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt yesterday joined with the non-governmental group — The Jericho Project — to protest the tragedy that befell Daniel.

Assembling in the Queen’s Park Savannah, opposite to Archbishop’s House, Mahabir-Wyatt said the spot was “symbolic” as it represented hope for the nation’s children, that greater efforts must be taken to protect them from situations of abuse and neglect.

“We don’t have adequate legislation, we don’t have adequate institutions to prevent or to help in situations like this. The Children’s Authority was established two years ago but it is still not staffed. There is a board but we are a country so full of talk and not action. How many more children have to die before this legislation is completed?” she stated.

Revealing that the group of concerned citizens will continue to protest and lobby throughout the week, Mahabir-Wyatt is hopeful that “Government will respond.”

The group was joined by Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne who described the incident as “a national tragedy,” as he said, “This is not the first time Trinidad and Tobago has been in this position and I am hoping that this is the last time. We are not doing enough as a country to protect our young ones.”

Referring to the Children’s Bill which is aimed at protecting children from a range of offences which was first brought to Parliament by the previous government, he said “it must be brought back for the nation to consider.”

Urging the nation “once again become your brother’s keeper,” Browne said persons need to become more proactive, particularly where children are concerned.