Troy, Trelawny Mourns Rape and Murder of 10-Year-Old Shani Coke

Troy district in Trelawny is in mourning after 10-year-old Shani Coke, a student of Troy Primary School, was raped and killed on Tuesday.

Relatives say that sometime after 3:00 p.m. her grandmother sent her to a shop. When she did not return, the grandmother went looking and was told the child had already left. An official search then began. About 7:00 p.m., her body was found.

In a TVJ News exclusive, the girl's father, Aston Coke, said the man accused in the case had previously been convicted of rape. He said he had warned the accused several times to leave the area and told the grandmother not to send the child out alone.

"You're going to have to leave the neighborhood cuz we know what you are up to," he said he told the man. He also said he cautioned: "Don't send her any place by herself because this guy is a target to them."

A resident who knew the child said she passed by each morning and evening on her way to and from school and often stopped at church, calling her a nice little girl loved by the whole neighbourhood. "Life is so unfair. They take my child away from me," the resident said.

After the body was found, an angry crowd attacked the accused, Delroy Coke, and his father. Both were taken to hospital, where Delroy Coke was pronounced dead and his father was admitted in critical condition.

Aston Coke said he had earlier confronted the accused at his business place, warning him that his young daughter lived nearby and that he must not molest, rape, or kill her. He said the accused denied any such intention. Coke also said the accused man's father would not accept criticism of his son.

Trelawny police have urged residents not to resort to vigilante justice when crimes of this kind occur.

Child Protection and Family Services Agency chief executive officer Lauret Adams-Thomas condemned the killing. "There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy. This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfill her dreams," she said, adding that her parents should have seen her graduate and grow into adulthood. She said Jamaica cannot treat such violence as normal and that every time a child is abused or murdered, the country fails in its duty to protect those who depend on it most.

Kirk Wright reported for TVJ News.