Anger at slain child’s funeral

There was raw emotion on display at the thanksgiving service for eight-year-old Danielle Rowe yesterday.

As her mother Sudiene Mason entered the grounds of the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Catherine and laid eyes on the casket, her knees gave way and she wept uncontrollably. Several loved ones and members of the security forces offered their support, but no words were comforting enough for the grieving mother whose screams of anguish permeate the air.

But before the casket was removed from the hearse, the police removed a Jamaican flag that was smeared with red paint draped over it. This did not sit well with Danielle's grandaunt Eveth Thomas, who argued that the paint symbolised the bloodiness of the country.

"The country bloody and unnu come a tell mi bout flag? Unnu better don't chat to mi. Mi baby dead, mi baby cold ... so where do we go from here? This is a funeral with a difference and mi is in full control of dis, 'bout unnu a watch flag. Mi see people pon dem head top a dance pon it suh nuh bother tell mi nuh foolishness," she said.

A senior cop told THE STAR that although the Jamaican flag is used for the funeral of active members of the security forces and dignitaries, "The defacing of the national flag is not allowed under no circumstances".

The controversy was far from over though, as some relatives objected to the order of the service and claimed that they were excluded. The disgruntled relatives complained that aspects of the funeral programme were not in keeping with their wishes, including the removal of activities to be undertaken by some of them. According to Thomas, whose name was not on the programme, she was slated to offer the opening prayer. Showing her discontent, Thomas and other relatives stormed out of the church as Rev Francis West was delivering his sermon. Thomas also hurled a few insults at the church officials.

"'Bout mi can't speak into tongues. Unnu rude and out of order with unnu Seventh-day, one-day Christian. Unnu gwey," she said angrily.

"It's all about the politicians, but where is the action? It's all about politicians and it should be about the family. The mother never asked for that programme. They reprogrammed everything," another woman added.

Despite the contention, the service was well attended by members of the security forces and other officials. The vibrant eight-year-old was described by those who knew her best as bubbly and well-mannered.

"She was an outstanding and loving person. She was loved by everyone around her as she was amazingly fun. You could never have a dull moment around her as she was playful. She was always in a joyful mood," one of her relatives said.

Six-year-old Amiliah and her father Mezmo did a tear-jerking song titled Farewell For Now, at the end of which, she stated that Danielle's killer should be jailed or shot, which was met with applause from the congregation.

Interment followed at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in Spanish Town, St Catherine.