Vigil held for Jaden Mars outside Georgetown hospital

Three days after his death, a candlelit vigil for four-year-old Jaden Mars was held last evening in front of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

More than 40 persons gathered with candles in hand, singing songs of praise in solidarity for a precious life lost.

Natalie Caseley, the boy’s mother, commented that though she did not know for how many days the vigil would continue, they would not rest until justice is served. She remarked that her son’s death was not the first of its kind and that the vigil was not just for Jaden but for everyone else who had died similarly. She expressed that often people felt powerless because they believed they were fighting a losing battle against the government. “It’s not about winning the government, it’s about getting justice and having them open their eyes to do what is right and pull their act together,” she said.

Jaden Mars
Jaden Mars

Stories published by at least two media outlets have stated the boy’s cause of death as pulmonary embolism. However, when this publication contacted Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPH yesterday, he stated that no official cause of death has been revealed and he was to meet the dead boy’s parents to discuss the findings of the post-mortem examination.

The boy died on Tuesday after being a patient of the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) for a week. According to his mother, he was admitted to the hospital after he had tripped and bit his tongue while playing at home.

A section of the vigil last evening for four-year-old Jaden Mars who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was taken for treatment after biting his tongue. His family has vowed not to rest until justice is served. See story on page 10 (Photo by Arian Browne)
A section of the vigil last evening for four-year-old Jaden Mars who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was taken for treatment after biting his tongue. His family has vowed not to rest until justice is served.  (Photo by Arian Browne)

During his admission, Jaden suffered multiple heart crashes, his mother said. While speaking with Stabroek News, Caseley stated that though she was not yet ready to disclose the findings of the autopsy, it must be known that her son had been a healthy boy before he had entered the hospital.