Former Gilharry 7 Member Accused of Attempted Child Abduction

A frightening encounter in Corozal is raising concerns about child safety. Near Santa Rita Park, a mother says two men in a van harassed her teenage daughter and niece, alleging one even tried to place an unknown substance near a child’s face. She went live on social media, accusing a former Gilharry 7 member of being involved in what she describes as an attempted abduction. But police say no formal report has been filed. Meanwhile, the band has distanced itself, saying the man is no longer affiliated and has been dealing with mental health challenges, while offering apologies to the family.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“I spoke with Commander Corozal Police Formation, Mr. Mendes, and his instruction to me was that no formal report was made in terms of a statement being given by the female and the children in question. He did in fact admit that she went there on the day in question. However, I believe she was still overcome with emotion, so they were not able to document anything. He told me that they have since been making efforts to locate the female and the children with a view to recording the statements and taking necessary actions.”

 

On the Phone: Mother of Victim

“So I heard one of the police and one of the police said, “I think we don know da who.” So I didn’t make no questions. Then from there what took place, they said wait. We wa mek the patrol come to make we go down the park.” So now when the patrol reached, one of the officers come down and start write down again what happened. Good. So from there, what we what we did the police said that right now they will send a patrol to right there at Santa Rita so that they can find evidence of what happened, what transpired. Supposedly nobody at Santa Rita has cameras. But let me tell you that the police didn’t even reach at the park. Because when I went to the park, right behind of them, they take another road, and I went to the park. So I call 911, and the same police that attend to us was there. So one of them pick up the phone, and they answer, right? And I told them, “I’m here at the park. Where is the mobile? The mobile not here. Where is the mobile?” The police said, “Yes, the mobile is there.” No, how will you tell me the mobile is there and there is no mobile? Okay. So after that  I said, “You know what? I don’t think this, no, they make no sense, and I no get no help from our own police officers.”

 

The mother of the alleged perpetrator claims that she has been contacted by members of the Gilharry 7 with an apology, however, is still seeking justice for the incident.

 

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.

 

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