Judge orders man to live with babymother while on bail

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque on Thursday ordered a man who is on trial for hitting his babymother to live with her as a condition of his bail.

The woman, who filed a complaint against her children's father, Kadeem Lowden, told the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday that she needs his help to raise their children.

"It hard on me because I had to get the babies ready this morning, bathe them, get them food to eat, get myself ready so that I could come court this morning," the woman shared. She added that although he assaulted her, she has engaged the counselling services of the Family Court and indicated that she would not be going further with the criminal matter.

"There is another [counselling] session and I would like to give it a try, just don't lock him up. I want him live with me," she told the court.

It is alleged that on October 1, an argument about the children turned physical between the complainant and Lowden. He allegedly hit her all over her body, causing bruising and swelling. The couple have two children, ages one and eight months. However, Lowden does not live at the complainant's home as he is not comfortable there because she accuses him of infidelity and argues constantly.

"Could you appreciate that she could be very stressed out from having the two children? You see that sometimes you hear women saying certain things, sometimes it is a cry for attention, sometimes it is a cry for help, it is a cry for affection," Cole-Montaque said.

"I don't think it is fair for all the person to carry the stress and that is why, Sir, I will encourage you to help with the two children," the judge indicated. She subsequently asked "Would you [Lowden] be willing to give it a try at the house? But Lowden insisted that he doesn't want to go to her house.

"Madam, make the home comfortable. Make it a space that he will not run from. Fix up the place nice," the judge counselled.

Lowden was offered $20,000 bail in his own surety and a condition attached that he is to reside at the complainant's home starting on December 16. The matter was adjourned until January 5, 2024 when the matter is set for mention.

"If she does anything during that time, you can report it to the police and that would be sufficient for you to come out of the condition. Madam, do not be cantankerous, sometimes walk away, control your emotions," the judge warned the couple.