Man, 62, in custody over alleged sexual abuse of step-grandaughter

A 62-year-old man is in police custody in Berbice for allegedly sexually molesting his step-granddaughter; the matter is also engaging the attention of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA)

On Friday last, teachers questioned the 10-year-old girl after they observed that she had attended school later than normal. They also became suspicious that something was wrong because the child was crying and behaving as though she was uncomfortable.

After questioning the girl they contacted the CCPA. She revealed that instead of going to school that morning she had gone to the home of her paternal grandmother.

The child told teachers that her grandmother was not there and the man reportedly took her upstairs where he violated her. Shortly after, the child said, her grandmother returned and just laughed when she realised what had happened.

The woman gave the girl a bath and combed her hair. She also gave her food and sent her to school. She promised to give the child $100 and told her to “go for it after school.”

That was not the first time the man was accused of molesting the girl. In January, relatives suspected that the girl was being molested because of her strange behaviour and doctors confirmed their suspicion. However, the girl refused to give information and the matter was dropped.

The girl had been living with her parents and younger brother at the grandmother’s house. After a misunderstanding in December last the parents and siblings were asked to leave the home but the girl stayed with her grandmother.

She was ordered to move with her parents into their small shack in January after the discovery was made.