Woman surprised girl she alleged burnt on vagina still in hospital

The Vermont woman who is alleged to have burnt a 12-year-old girl on her vagina with an iron in August said, on Monday, she was surprised that the child was still in hospital.

“I didn’t expect she would be in there so long,” the accused, Josette Garraway, 35, said during her bail review at the Serious Offences Court.

The prosecutor, Inspector of Police Renrick Cato, had told the court that the virtual complainant was warded in a private room at the paediatric ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Garraway, who has been in custody since Aug. 29, was brought before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne for bail review in connection with the indictable charge that she inflicted grievous bodily harm on the child at Vermont.

“That is what injuries sometimes cause, especially depending on the severity,” the chief magistrate told the accused after hearing she was surprised that the child was still hospitalised.

“Sometimes, we think something is not so severe,” Browne said, adding that because of the soft tissue, the area of the burn is prone to infection.

“What I am saying is that you ought to be praying now that this situation does not go from this charge of grievous bodily harm to another one where bail would be completely denied,” Browne told the accused.

“Because this is a child and if she is in hospital from since August to now, something is going on. So let us hope and pray that she recovers and she comes out and she is well,” the chief magistrate further said.

“Because God forbid and I really don’t want anything more serious to happen to a 12-year-old child. I don’t like how this sounds.”

“Neither do I,” the prosecutor added and asked that Garraway be further remanded until Monday so the court could get a report on the child’s condition.

“I think I am struggling with this one this morning,” the chief magistrate said.

“… it is just the thought,” Cato added.

Browne said he would have to get a more detailed medical report to decide whether the accused is fit to be granted bail at all.

“I will detain you until Monday when the court will receive a medical report to assist in such a situation,” the chief magistrate said.

She asked whether there were any other children in the woman’s household and the prosecutor said that was the case.

The prosecutor further told the court that it is alleged that the child had been living at a home from which the accused had collected her before she allegedly burnt her.

“So, where are the other children? Should she even have children in her care” the chief magistrate said and inquired about whether the Ministry of National Mobilisation was involved in the case.

“All I am thinking when I hear there are children involved is the best interest of the child. It can’t be in their best interest if they are in a house in Vermont unattended,” Browne said.