Juvenile offenders concern Westmoreland cops

Head of operations for the Westmoreland police, Deputy Superintendent Adrian Hamilton, has indicated that since the start of the year, 17 juveniles have been charged for major crimes in the parish.

Hamilton said these crimes range from abduction, rape, grievous sexual assault, assault at common law and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He was addressing reporters before touring a section of Dalling Street, in Savanna-la-Mar, where six-year-old Jadaine Miller was shot and killed by his own cousin on Monday afternoon.

Last night, TVJ reported that the teen had turned himself in, accompanied by a lawyer. Hamilton said the police will enhance their coordinated approaches to combat the troubling trend with the juveniles.

A dropout from school

"Our investigation has shown that this teenager boy is a dropout from school, and also there are other incidents in which he has been related to, but I do not want to speak on this at this time," Hamilton said. He further stated that the incident brings into sharp focus the culture of a seemingly unquenchable thirst for illegal firearms.

"(When you combine) Poor and non-existent support systems and structures, as well as bad parenting, what you have is a toxic combination that has significantly contributed to the loss of lives for many residents and citizens of Westmoreland," he said.

Reports by the police are that about 2:30 p.m., Jadaine was standing inside his yard when he was approached by his cousin who brandished a handgun, and started to show it to him and other children. Further reports are that the teen opened gunfire hitting Jadaine in the back, and upon seeing the infant covered in blood, ran away from the yard with the gun. Jadaine was assisted to hospital by one of his uncles, where he died while being treated.

Hamilton and Deputy Superintendent Merna Ferguson-Campbell went to Jadaine's home, where they met with his mother Chrissincia Kelly and other relatives offering reassurance.