A woman is in police custody following the death of a three-month-old baby girl on whom hot water was allegedly thrown.
Three-month-old Winetta Ferrier was discovered motionless by her mother, Savitri Boodnauth after she got up to feed her at their Butcher Street, Parika, East Bank Essequibo home at about 1 am yesterday. Boodnauth subsequently carried the baby to the Parika Police station and was referred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where Ferrier was pronounced dead. Police have since detained the woman, who allegedly threw the hot water.
A police source told Stabroek News that Boodnauth had reported on Monday that she had lent the woman her one-burner kerosene stove and went to collect it at about 2 pm that day. However, the woman reportedly became annoyed and an argument ensued and she then allegedly threw the hot water on Boodnauth, who was holding the child at the time.
Following this, Boodnauth took Ferrier for medical attention but was allegedly told by the doctor that nothing was wrong with the baby and so she returned home. This newspaper was told that there were no marks on the baby’s body.
The woman, who allegedly threw the hot water and who had been questioned following the incident on Monday and placed on station bail, was re-arrested yesterday morning. She is presently in custody at the Den Amstel police station. Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, which is expected to be conducted today.
