Minister Hanna Condemns Brutal Attack on St Thomas Teen

The Minister of Youth and Culture, the Honourable Lisa Hanna condemns the brutal slaying of 14 year-old Kayalicia Simpson, a student of the Donald Quarrie High School who was chopped to death this morning at her home in Newlands, St Thomas. The Youth Minister notes that attacks of such nature have no place in our society and is calling on residents in the community to share any information they may have with the security forces.

“The Ministry of Youth and Culture, condemns in the strongest possible terms the level of violence brought against this innocent child as she got ready for school. There can be no justification for such unspeakable savagery against a 13 year-old.” the Minister said.

According to the Minister, the nation must exercise greater levels of care for and protection of our children who remain among the most vulnerable in our society. The Ministry of Youth and Culture through the Chid Development Agency (CDA) has deployed a team of first responders to the community where the incident occurred and will be providing grief counselling and other emotional support to the family of the deceased once they are given the go ahead by the Police.

The Minister expresses her deepest sympathies to the family of young Kayalicia as they go through this very difficult period and extends condolences to the students and staff of the Donald Quarrie High School.

She also pledges the continued support of the CDA which has been proactively working across the island to amplify among residents, strategies for the care and protection of their children.