The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

SIX women charged in connection with the beating of a number of wards at the Children’s Emergency Hostel will stand trial in April.

Sabrina Smith, 61, Eloise Canter, 52, Carmetta Woods, 47, Natasha Pratt, 46, and Occonelle Gordon, 25, had their child cruelty case transferred to Magistrate Kendra Kelly. Another accused, Shawn Seymour, faced separate charges for the same event of failing to report the abuse of minors.

These charges are all in relation to an incident that occurred on September 22, 2020 in New Providence, when these women were accused of abusing minors, ranging in age from as young as seven to 11 years old, by causing them physical harm while under their care at the hostel. Seymour is the only accused not charged for allegedly beating these minors.

In total, the accused are charged with 11 counts of child abuse and failing to report the abuse of a minor respectively.

In court, the women were collectively represented by Barry Sawyer, Ian Cargill, Ryszard Humes, Laurel Henschel and Wallace Rolle.

Canter was the only accused who did not appear in court as her lawyer explained to the magistrate that she was currently in the hospital. He asked Magistrate Kelly to take these matters into consideration as Canter suffers from chronic illness resulting in him having to act on her behalf in court.

Smith, Woods, Pratt, and Gordon all pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts of child abuse against them, while Seymour also pleaded not guilty to her 11 counts of failing to report child abuse.

Magistrate Kelly adjourned their case until April 25–27 for trial.