Mother to spend almost a year in prison for not reporting abuse of her son

A St Catherine woman who failed to report the abuse of her child by her husband was sentenced to serve 11 months and 26 days' imprisonment when she appeared in the St Catherine Parish Court today.

A character witness described the 31-year-old woman as a great mother who works very hard and deserves a non-custodial sentence.

However, the judge, Janelle Nelson-Gayle, said that she was not minded to accede to that request. Nelson-Gayle said that a message must be sent, as her failure to report the abuse of her child is a crime that must be addressed.

The accused was also ordered to undergo anger management and parenting counselling and remedial skills training.

The sentencing came a week after the woman's husband, who is a pastor, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. He had pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child.

The court was told that in February 2024 the pastor went to the school of the seven-year-old complainant, who is his stepson, grabbed him and punched him repeatedly.

The matter was reported to the police and a probe launched, which resulted in the arrest and charge of the pastor. His wife was subsequently charged with negligence for failing to report the matter.

- Rasbert Turner

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