Five men charged with abuse of American boys at St Elizabeth academy
Published:Sunday | April 7, 2024 | 12:11 AM
Five men were arrested and charged on Friday in connection with abuse allegations by boys from the United States, residing at the Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, in the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth.
The men were held following special operations and targeted raids.
Those charged are Courtney Williams, 51; Carson Cox; Edison Morris, 39; and Odane Maxwell, 30, all from St Elizabeth.
Also charged is 23-year-old Damion Herrera, a footballer from Gordon Pen in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
The men were slapped with several charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm, cruelty to a child and assault at common law. Police said their court dates are being finalised.
According to the police, between midday and 3 p.m. on Friday, seven police officers conducted the operations in search of wanted men in relation to reports of assault, child abuse and other offences.
The reports were made by eight boys who were being housed at the American-run boarding school.
Police said the suspects were located, arrested and taken into custody. The operations ended incident-free.
Eight boys, ages 14 to 18, were earlier this year removed from the boarding school by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) in response to abuse allegations.
Seven of the teens are currently in the custody of Jamaican child welfare authorities.
The 18-year-old was sent back home to the United States in February, while another is expected to go home this week.
The police said investigations are ongoing into the case, in collaboration with the CPFSA.