A 6-year-old girl was abducted from her school by a man, who was later found and detained. The arrest came after Clarendon councillor Scean Barnswell recognised the child’s uniform when he saw her walking with her abductor on the road.
Reports say that the kidnapper took her away on Tuesday evening when school was dismissed at the St Thomas More Preparatory School in May Pen, Clarendon. The suspect entered the compound and left with the child on foot.
The school became aware of the child’s disappearance after the child’s parent arrived to take her home. Panic ignited when the parent found only her belongings. The police were quickly informed, which led to officials issuing a high alert for the missing girl. Soon after, many Clarendon residents saw the missing-person alert and quickly became vigilant, keeping a watchful eye for the child, spreading the word, and supporting the search in every way they could.
Hours after the abduction, Barnswell, who represents the Hayes division, was approaching the Bustamante Highway with his wife. He was also aware of the missing child and spoke about the devastating incident with his partner moments before he spotted the girl walking along the Bustamante Highway.
“By the time I reached Glenmuir Road and turned onto the Bustamante Highway, I saw the man walking with the child in a westerly direction. I was travelling easterly,” Barnswell said in a statement to the Jamaica Gleaner.
He explained that she pointed out the child to his wife, indicating that she was wearing the same uniform. His wife asked him if he was certain, to which he said, “Yes, and even if it wasn’t her, he has to tell me where the child came from.”
Barnswell said he quickly turned his vehicle around, drove up to them and blocked their path. He then jumped from his car and confronted the suspect, who reportedly tried to run away. However, the councillor managed to subdue him and called the police.
Barnswell said the man alleged that his cousin instructed him to pick up the girl at school. The rescued 6-year-old girl was taken into police custody, while the suspect was arrested when officers arrived. The matter is still being investigated.