Mom weeps for deceased daughter in court

A Corporate Area woman was moved to tears inside the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday, as she contended that she is not getting information about her teen daughter's funeral arrangements.

"I'm her mother and I don't know anything what's happening. I don't even know where she is, " Cornelia Forrester lamented. Forrester aired her grouse shortly after prosecutors withdrew a matter of child abuse against her. The complainant was her 16-year-old daughter Bianca Thompson, who was murdered at her home on February 24. Thompson was shot dead while she slept at her home in Arnett Gardens. The mother is not implicated in the attack.

The teen had been living with her paternal aunt since last October, following an order made by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency. The order came as a result of the matter against Forrester, who was accused of using a knife to cut the teen on her leg and strangling her on the ground.

Bianca's aunt, Tameika, was visibly distraught as she stood before Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks to represent the deceased child.

"Your Honour, she [Forrester] will know about the funeral arrangements. She [Bianca] is down by House of Tranquility and that's where she will stay for the funeral arrangements. We are just waiting for the autopsy to be done," the aunt related in court.

"She [Forrester] beat my niece till she have cancer and we never know until the police move her from the house and she come live with me. I loved that little girl," Tameika shared, as tears streamed down her face.

"I am so sorry for your loss," Judge Crooks comforted, seeking to assure Forrester that she will be informed about details for her daughter's funeral.

Forrester, a mother of six, was subsequently discharged from the court.