Child found dead in abandoned pit

The St James police have launched an investigation into the death of four-year-old Shawayne Liston Francis, of Plantation Heights in Cambridge, St James, who was found dead in a pit at his home on Sunday afternoon.

According to reports from the Cambridge Police Station, shortly after 12:30 p.m, Shawayne was at home with his mother and other family members when he went outside to play with a ball.

Shawayne reportedly fell into an abandoned pit, which was partially filled with water. After he was discovered missing, family members began making checks. Young Shawayne was spotted in the abandoned pit, fished out, and rushed to the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

He was pronounced dead on arrival.

When Western Star visited Shawayne's home yesterday, family members were still deep in grief. His stepfather, Clive Beckford, said that the pit was dug in the yard some time ago to be used as a latrine, but was not used because it was found to be unsuitable.

"It was discovered that the pit had no soakaway, so it was abandoned," said Beckford. "It has been left unattended for a long time and had filled up with stagnant water, but the mouth was partially covered by grass."

Shawayne's death is the second tragedy to have hit his family in recent times. Four years ago, his then-nine-year old brother, Romaine Robinson, was murdered by a group of boys from the community.