‘They Nearly Killed My Baby’: Mother Speaks Out, Alleges Police Inaction

Belize City mother Amika Betran is raising serious concerns after she and her one-year-old child were allegedly attacked during a neighbourhood dispute on December 16.

According to Betran, she was walking near her home with her child when an argument escalated and a man allegedly struck her with a crowbar, which also hit the infant on the side of her head. Betran said the baby suffered injuries to the head.

“They nearly killed my baby on the 16th of December, and her first birthday was the 18th of December,” Betran told News 5. “While trying to save my baby, she got hit on the side of her face with the edge of the crowbar. So her face was bust on a two or three spots, and a bruise was on the side of her face.”

The child was later taken to hospital for a medical check-up. Betran said she made an official police report on the same day and returned several times seeking updates.

She claims only one person has been charged, despite multiple individuals being involved.

She alleges delays and a lack of urgency, including being told to return to the police station at midnight to speak with an officer.

“I got a call to come here to follow up, but when I reach here now, they want me to come at 12 o’clock tonight. When the officer is on at 12:00 AM tonight when the next officer in command is in, they want me to come and get more information because they said that they can’t provide me with the information I’m looking for,” Betran said.

“I have to find someone to watch the baby they nearly killed,” she added.

The mother further alleges that the matter has been mishandled. She raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest, claiming a relative of the accused is a police officer.

Betran said she is considering legal action and is seeking accountability.

“When you guys have officers that don’t show pride and respect towards their jobs, the whole department can be disgraced,” she said.