The Children’s Authority confirmed last night that all three boys who ran away from the Rainbow Rescue Home for Boys in Maraval were now in its care.
Three boys ran away from the home on August 3rd.
Two were handed over on Monday by activist Kezel Jackson after they showed up at her office in Port of Spain.
Director/chief executive officer of the authority Sheldon Cyrus said the authority “thanks the public for their assistance in the safe return of the children. In particular, the Authority thanks activist Ms Kezel Jackson for her diligence in helping return two children to the attention of the police on Monday.”
He said the third child was located yesterday by the authority.
The children will receive the relevant medical and psychosocial interventions to address any trauma they may have experienced, he said.
The authority has already begun its investigation to determine how the children were able to leave the facility.
Cyrus said, “While we appreciate the effort and interest Ms Jackson has shown for the children, it cannot be at the expense of impugning the character and integrity of the people who work at the Children’s Authority and all the people who work in the child protection system. Ms Jackson is the leader of a political party and a civilian, not a legal guardian of the children involved. These children, as minors, remain wards of the Court and as such are entitled to certain rights and privacy.”
The authority clarified that its hotline number “996 is available 24/7”.
Cyrus urged members of the public “to please exercise patience if ever our Hotline is engaged”.