CPFSA condemns Trelawny child killing as heatwave, Bellevue and holiday notices dominate morning brief

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency on Thursday condemned the rape and murder of 10-year-old Shannie Ko, whose body was found with her throat cut in a district near Troy, Trelawny. Chief executive officer Lauret Adams Thomas said the agency was grieving with the family and community, calling the death a reminder that too many Jamaican children still face violence and abuse.

"There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy," Adams Thomas said. "This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams." She urged Jamaicans to treat child protection as an immediate duty, not empty talk about the next generation. CPFSA first responders are supporting the family, checking the welfare of other children linked to the household, and working with police. The public was reminded to report suspected abuse on the 24-hour hotline 211, or by WhatsApp or phone at 876-878-2882 or 876-822-7031.

Separately, Jamaica Egg Farmers Association president Mark Campbell urged poultry keepers to shield flocks as a prolonged heatwave continues. He said south-coast producers in St. Elizabeth and Clarendon have been hardest hit, with hundreds of birds and layers dying from heat stress and replacement and lost production running into millions of dollars. One farmer reportedly lost more than 700 chickens; another more than 600. The association advised cooling birdhouse roofs with irrigation or lawn sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., feeding at cooler dawn hours, shifting lighting for earlier meals, and using vitamin supplements. Campbell said he does not expect an egg shortage this year as replacement birds come into lay, but warned production could fall 50 to 70 per cent if flocks stay exposed to extreme heat.

Counsellor Jesse James Clark cautioned that Bellevue Hospital can no longer meet rising demand for psychiatric care, echoing findings that the facility is struggling to look after nearly 400 long-term patients. He called on government to expand the hospital. Bellevue chief executive officer Suzette Buchanan has pointed to halfway houses and stronger community support to ease pressure on patients and staff. Clark also urged the Jamaica Constabulary Force to deepen officer training for mental-health calls so peaceful de-escalation is more likely.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security announced that Emancipation Day 2026 will be observed on Saturday, August 1, under the Holidays (Public General) Act. Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, August 6, with Friday, August 7, remaining a normal working day.

Thirty people from 10 countries — 12 women, 13 men and five children — have been granted Jamaican citizenship. Newcomers hailed from Myanmar, Russia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the United States.

The Forestry Department launched an urban 5K under the theme "Run in the East, Relief the West," set for Sunday, August 23, to aid regeneration of the Black River mangrove ecosystem in St. Elizabeth and replenishment of the Silent Hill Forest Reserve. Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda said the run aims to draw Jamaicans into protecting and rebuilding forest life after Hurricane Melissa. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister of State Dana Seville, member of parliament for St. Andrew North Central, backed the event for healthy living and community strength.

As Melissa recovery continues, National Works Agency chief executive officer Ambassador Anthony Anderson and Southwest St. Elizabeth Member of Parliament Floyd Green met residents in Black River and Parottee. Anderson said the visit was a first step toward reconstruction talks, with more town halls planned and a pledge to build back stronger. Green said the government is taking a bottom-up approach, noting some residents want to relocate while others prefer to stay and rebuild livelihoods.