The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ONE week after a three-year-old boy was found burned to death in his home, clinging to the family’s pet dog, authorities say they are still unsure of whether charges will be brought against his guardians.

Authorities discovered Jeffrey McKenzie’s body inside a 10-room wooden structure which he shared with other relatives at Obeah Alley off St Margaret Road.

Neighbours on the scene said the child was at home alone and asleep when a fire, starting sometime before 1pm, quickly engulfed the building.

He was killed despite attempts to rescue him by loved ones.

Fire Services Chief Walter Evans said a decision on whether to prosecute anyone in connection with the incident is on hold, pending the completion of the investigation.

He could not say when authorities would complete their work or if the tragedy was the result of arson, as was claimed by relatives.

Police took the child’s mother away from the scene as part of their investigations.

The fire, according to Jeffrey’s grandparents, followed an official complaint to the police of threats of arson to their home.

Barbara McKenzie, 45, and Wendel Moxey told The Tribune they received the threats on Sunday and that the fire was “definitely” the result of arson.

Ms McKenzie said the mother of the child had a dispute with an unidentified man who chased her to her home on Sunday.
The man’s exact words, she said, were: “I coming back to burn this (expletive) down.”

Ms McKenzie said she placed a call to authorities to inform them about the threat.

Despite being told that police would come to the home and investigate the claims, no officer ever came, she said.

Later, Ms McKenzie and her husband went to the Wulff Road Police Station to file another complaint.

It is unclear of whether their second complaint was ever investigated.

Shortly after the fire, Superintendent Stephen Dean said the investigation was still in its early stages and declined comment on the family’s claims.