Police probes suspected negligence in toddler’s drowning

Sources said officers are trying to determine if Messi’s parents were negligent which resulted in the child’s death. Gorkin was buried at the Lapeyrouse Cemetery following a church service in Port of Spain on Friday last.

An autopsy revealed that he died from drowning, and that there was a considerable amount of water in his lungs. Yesterday investigators told Newsday that the parents of Gorkin had been already interviewed as well as other people and police were expected to interview others yesterday.

Police sources said that based on some of the statements there appeared to have been some measure of negligence in ensuring the safety of the child.

Gorkin along with his parents and other relatives went to the Boardwalk in Chagauramas to spend a fun filled day. Little Messi was last seen by his father Atiba, however when it was time to leave and checks were carried out, the child was no where to be found. Frantic checks were made in and around the Boardwalk and a missing person’s report was made to the Carenage police at about 8 pm that night.

Anxious relatives who thought that Messi was kidnapped made a stirring plea on Facebook for anyone who knew the whereabouts of the child to contact police. However the next day, at around 7 am, the child’s body was seen floating near Pier 1 by a security guard.

The body was recovered by the Coast Guard and taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.