The Search Continues for Police Constable Kenyon Barrow
More than two weeks after twenty-one-year-old Kenyon Barrow, a police officer, disappeared, his family is still searching for answers. Police and the Belize Defense Force have joined the search, but his mother, Therese Robinson, says investigators have made little progress. Barrow’s phone has remained off since September eighth, and he has missed his rent payments. With no proof that he crossed the border, his family simply wants to know whether he is alive. ASP Stacy Smith provided more details on the search for Barrow.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith
“Barrow was officially reported missing on September seventeenth by a relative who stated that on the last occasion that she was able to reach Mr. Barrow was eighth September 2026. Prior to PC Barrow’s disappearance, he had been recorded as absent without leave, having failed to report for duty since thirtieth July 2026. During that period, the department made several attempts to contact him both by conducting visit at his residence as well as over the phone. The department, the OC in that area, was unsuccessful in that regard, and he subsequently reached out to a relative of Mr. Barrow who was able to communicate with Mr. Barrow and advise the department of Mr. Barrow’s condition. Several attempts were made to have Mr. Barrow come in and regularize his status given that he was absent. However, those proved unsuccessful. The relative, as stated, who was in communication, last spoke to Mr. Barrow around the eighth, at which time they had made plans to meet up, but he did not appear at that time. Through investigations, we know that the last time Mr. Barrow was seen was on the eleventh of September, and as stated, efforts are still underway. We encourage members of the public who may have seen Mr. Barrow to forward that information to the police via 911, or they can do so anonymously via 922 tips as well.”
Barrow’s family says that prior to his disappearance, he stopped reporting to work and has now missed his latest rent payment.
Budna Case Tests Belize’s Human Rights Commitment
One year after Joseph Budna was allegedly abducted and later found in police custody in Guatemala, questions still surround his detention and the investigation. Belize has now reported to the United Nations on its efforts to prevent enforced disappearances and strengthen human rights protections. We asked ASP Stacy Smith what that appearance in Geneva means for the unresolved Budna case.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“What I will say is, in relation to that question is that several things need to be borne in mind. Firstly, the definition of what classifies as a enforced disappearance. Strictly speaking, Mr. Budna’s whereabouts is known and has been known for quite some time. What also need to be taken into account is that this report was compiled from 2024, I think up to June of 2025 and the validation occurred in July of 2025. So this predated the matter concerning Mr. Budna, and that is the extent to which I will comment.”
Reporter
“Did you feel any sense of disingenuous to go to Switzerland on a national position which is that there has been no enforced disappearances in Belize other than James Herbert knowing that Budna’s abduction fits all the criteria?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“She’s like there has been I will refer to the response that I gave first in that Mr. Budna’s whereabouts is known, so strictly speaking, it does not falls within that criteria. And I will also refer to the fact that that report was in relation to matters up to 2023 I believe. So that is what we were presenting. They would have gotten the report in 2025, but when the, um, review was done, it was up to the period of 2023.”
Following the one-year anniversary of Budna’s abduction, Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado said that investigators have made significant accomplishments, although no arrests or charges have been announced.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.