The stepfather accused of beating four-year-old Nashaun Brown, has been charged.
The stepfather has been identified as 24-year-old Shaun Bennett.
He’s now been charged with Unlawful Wounding, Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, Cruelty to Child and Child Abuse.
Reports are that on Sunday, July 18, Nashaun complained of not feeling well and was given a meal by his mother.
His stepfather became angry and proceeded to beat him with a stick after complaining that Nashaun was eating too slowly.
Nashaun’s mother reportedly tried to intervene and was also assaulted with the piece of stick.
Shortly after, the child reportedly went to the bathroom but became unresponsive and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The mother was admitted to hospital and received treatment for injuries sustained.
Bennett is to appear in St. Catherine Parish Court in Spanish Town on Tuesday, July 27.
In the meantime, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, CPFSA, is also condemning the use of physical violence to discipline children.
In a statement today, the CPFSA called on parents to consider alternate forms to disciplining.
The call follows yesterday’s report of a 4 year-old-boy being beaten by his stepfather allegedly for eating slowly.
The child reportedly collapsed sometime after being beaten and was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Rosalee Gage Grey, is Chief Executive Officer at the CPFSA.
She says as a nation, Jamaica cannot continue to lose children to carelessness.
Rosalee Gage Grey, Chief Executive Officer at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency.
Stevian Simmonds contributed to this report.
