Manager of the Sunbeam Children’s Home in St. Catherine, Desmond Whitely, has asserted that he’s received no evidence from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, CPFSA, substantiating allegations of abuse by staff at his facility.
His comments follow the de-licensing of the facility on Monday by the CPFSA over reports that wards were being physically abused at the Home.
Abigail Bartley reports.
The police have since launched an investigation into reports of child abuse at the Sunbeam Children’s Home. The cases of abuse at the facility reportedly date back to late 2019.
But, speaking on Nationwide at Five on Wednesday, Mr. Whitely says he’s received no such evidence on a scale warranting the actions of the CPFSA.
He says there have been allegations of abuse and extortion on the part of some of the elder boys at the home.
Mr. Whitely says several meetings held with the CPFSA were focused on a review of the allegations by the younger boys that they were being abused by their older peers.
However, he says no claims of abuse by the facility’s staff members were brought to his attention.
Mr. Whitely also noted that he’s unaware of direct allegations of staff beating several boys at the home with machetes.
He says at least one staff member has been removed for physically abusing the boys.
Meanwhile, Mr. Whitely says the CPFSA should have held discussions with the management of the home before deciding to de-license the facility.
Desmond Whitely, Manager of the Sunbeam Children’s Home in St. Catherine.
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