The house that was built for the late Karen Elliott and her four children in Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine. The handover ceremony will be held on Friday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

The Ministry of Water and Housing has delivered on its promise to build a house for the children of the late Karen Elliott of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, whose deplorable living conditions came to national attention two years ago.

A brand-new three-bedroom structure with bathroom and kitchen facilities, located in the Bourkesfield housing development in Old Harbour Bay, has been completed.

The Child Development Agency (CDA) had taken the then 39-year-old Elliott's children into its custody, in late October 2007, after reading the Gleaner story on October 13 that year about the squalor in which she and her four children, ranging from four months to 11 years old, lived.

They had been living at the Old Harbour Bay Community Centre for several weeks.

Many attempts to regain custody of her children proved futile, as the authorities would not release them until she had suitable accommodations.

Government steps in

The housing ministry was contacted and responded by allotting land and pledging to build a house for the family. However, Elliott died a year after.

Glen Campbell of the Child Development Agency told The Gleaner that having discussed the matter with the ministry, it was then decided that Elliott's mother would become legal guardian of the four children and that the house would be held in joint tenancy until the children reach adulthood.

The Gleaner news team last saw the mother of four on Friday, October 12, 2007, in dilapidated conditions in the community centre. Pots, pans and several bottles of liquid were strewn about. She appealed for help and told the news team that her living conditions were dire.

Subsequently, the CDA removed the children from Elliott's custody. They still remain at places of safety but are expected to be reunited with their family soon.

The handover ceremony will take place on Friday.