Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Karen Elliot and four of her five children shelter at the Old Harbour Bay Community Centre in St. Catherine two weeks ago. The children have since been taken into state care for their protection. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

THE CHILD Development Agency (CDA) was forced to relieve a mother of her four children after the hurricane shelter that they were occupying was destroyed by the recent heavy rains.

The four children, ages four months to 11 years, bring the number of children in places of safety to approximately 930.

According to Rashida St. Juste, public relations officer for the CDA, personnel attached to the agency went into the Old Harbour Bay community on Saturday and removed the children from their mother Karen Elliot.

"The children were living virtually at the mercy of nature with tarpaulin and plastic covering part of the roof, a practice which we found unacceptable for children," remarked Ms. St. Juste.

Became necessary

She said that she understood the anxiety of the children's mother. However, the plan is not to deprive her totally of her children's presence. Ms. St. Juste said as soon as she finds a suitable accommodation, the children would be returned to their parents.

The CDA said it was not in the practice of taking away people's children, but whenever it becomes necessary, they have to be proactive to prevent children from suffering harm.

In the meantime, Ms. Elliot is said to have been advised on how she can visit her children until her circumstances improve.

In the meantime, Ms. Elliot is having difficulty coping with the situation.

"From them tek weh the children them, she just a walk up and down and a talk to herself and was almost a nervous wreck. She need help now man. Them have fi find some way fi accommodate her or reunite her with her children," one concerned resident told The Gleaner.

A distraught Elliot told The Gleaner that she is hurt by the absence of her offsprings as they were all that she had.

"Mi need fi deh wid mi pickney them. Mi no know how mi a go live without them as me believe that a tek them tek them weh and a need help".

Ms. Elliot's plight was highlighted in a a recent Gleaner article following a visit to the Old Harbour Bay Community Centre where she and her children were seen living in very depraved conditions.

Since April, 8,957 children were assessed for care and protection by the CDA.