Slap shatters child’s eardrum

A correctional officer assigned to the Department of Correctional Services has been charged following allegations that he played a role in an incident that left a child at the Metcalfe Street Juvenile Centre with a ruptured eardrum.

The warder, Andrew Ricketts, appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

He is facing a charge in connection with an incident that took place on February 12, 2024, in which a child sustained a ruptured eardrum after reportedly being slapped in the face by another ward. It is alleged that Ricketts instructed the other ward to carry out the slap.

As a result of the probe conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled that Ricketts be charged with causing a child to be assaulted, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Child Care and Protection Act.

The law prohibits adults with custody, charge, or care of a child from physically or mentally mistreating them or directing others to do so.

Persons convicted under this section of the law are punishable by up to five years' imprisonment with hard labour upon conviction in a Circuit Court, or up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million on summary conviction.

Ricketts is scheduled to return to court on October 13, when the matter will continue.