The father of Shantina Sergeant, the Christiana High School student who was found dead several weeks ago, now faces a serious sex charge involving a child. Lawrence “Marcus” Sergeant was, on Monday, formally charged with grievous sexual assault.
The charge, unrelated to his daughter’s murder, stems from allegations that he molested a 6-year-old several years ago. Police confirmed that the charge is a separate matter currently before the court.
Sergeant is also being investigated as a suspect in his 13-year-old daughter’s death. He remains in custody while investigators await forensic results, which will uncover if he had played a role in the homicide and could lead to a second charge.
During the investigation, DNA samples were collected from Sergeant and another relative. According to investigators, these findings will be critical in confirming the next steps in the case.
The gruesome discovery of remains believed to be Shantina’s was made on October 6, inside a burnt refrigerator located behind her family home in Baillieston, Clarendon. A post-mortem later confirmed that the young girl died from blunt force trauma. Less than a week later, Sergeant was arrested in Old Harbour, St Catherine, and he was questioned by police.
While police have not publicly linked the sexual assault charge to the murder investigation, it has deepened public speculation about the father’s role in both cases.
Shantina’s death came after weeks of concern expressed by her former stepmother, Juliet Unis, who said she sensed the child was in danger. Unis shared that Shantina had confided in her about troubling issues at home, prompting her to alert law enforcement. However, her attempt to bring the teen to the police station was unsuccessful when the girl refused to go.
When Shantina did not return from school, Unis questioned Sergeant, who she said showed no immediate sign of alarm. Soon after, Unis received calls about a foul smell and flies in Sergeant’s yard. When she contacted Sergeant, he claimed that a bed and a refrigerator had been burnt outside. Not long after, police confirmed that human remains were found in that refrigerator.