Woman threatens to chop off son’s head

A Corporate Area woman allegedly threatened to chop off the head of her 10-year-old son if his behaviour at school continues to deteriorate.

The mother reportedly issued the threat shortly after allegedly using a cleaver to chop the boy on his arm twice. She has been charged with unlawful wounding and child abuse.

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that there was a situation at the school involving the child and the teacher did not like the response he gave. The teacher contacted the mother and made a report about the child. When the child arrived at home, residents could hear the woman airing her frustration about his behaviour. The mother allegedly used a 'chopper' to chop him twice on the hand, which caused a wound that bled profusely.

The child began crying and asked his mother if she would be transporting him to the hospital. The court heard that the woman said, "No, next time a yuh neck me a go chop off."

Further allegations are that the child was forced to wrap the arm in a merino and due to the injuries, he was not able to bathe himself properly to attend school the next day.

"Your Honour, she did not even bring the child to the doctor," the prosecutor pressed.

A family friend noticed the child at his mother's stall in downtown Kingston, with his hand wrapped in a bloodied handkerchief. The friend contacted the boy's father and informed him to meet the child at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, where he received medical attention.

Shocked by the allegations, presiding Judge Carlo Mason was appalled when he was informed that the accused was offered $60,000 station bail.

"That is a palsy sum given the allegations," he said, before increasing the bail offer and imposing conditions. The woman was offered $150,000 bail with at least two sureties and is to report to the police once weekly. She is also to have supervised visits with the complainant. She was made the subject of a fingerprint order and is to return to court on January 17,2024 when the matter is set for mention.

- T.T.