Tearful goodbye for baby Jalani

The shrill cry of Natasha Sammy echoed through the chappel as she repeated her heart wrenching plea, "I will do anything to get back my child. Oh God I will do anything to get back my son, please open your eyes baby, please do it for mummy."

With arms upraised, Sammy, tried to lift the tiny body from the casket to give him a hug for the last time, but was quickly restrained by relatives. She continued to beg relatives to let her hug her son, but was instead led away from the casket.

In desperation and with the agony of grief etched on her face, Sammy removed a gold band from the wrist of her husband Marcus and placed it in the casket. "Oh God, I want my child back. Who go give him milk when he hungry? Who will celebrate his birthday with him next week?" Sammy continued while leaning over the casket bearing the body of Jalani.

Asani Asevero, Jalani’s two-year-old brother, was unaware of what was taking place, as he gently touched Jalani’s face in the casket and said, "Wake up baby." He was then led away by his father, who held up well at the service.

Mourners at the packed chapel were unable to contain their grief as they also shed tears during the viewing of the body. Brother Gregoire Florence, of the Newtown RC Church, who officiated at the funeral service, told mourners to use Jalani’s funeral service to bring positive changes to their lives. He said one of the things people can do is to learn to forgive.

"So very often we hold pain and grudges in our heart, but we must let go of the pain so that the load we are carrying will be banished, and we can move on with our lives," said Florence. Baby Jalani was later buried at the Mucurapo Cemetery. Police probing the death yesterday said a file will be submitted to Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson for an inquest to be held.