Seventy-six-year-old Quan Sheng Li appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with the murder of six-year-old Zi Feng Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
Li, a Chinese national and cook, was not required to enter a plea to the indictable offence.
The court was told that investigations are still incomplete, with Police awaiting the post-mortem examination and further statements and submissions.
The matter was subsequently put down for November 5, 2026, before Magistrate Chandan.
Cao, a student of Precious Lamb Primary School, was fatally attacked on September 30 at Kenny’s Ocean Restaurant, the family’s business at Johnson Street, Parika.
The six-year-old had just returned from school and was still dressed in his school uniform when he entered the premises and approached Li, who was known to the family.
According to information obtained by Kiskadee Watch, a dispute over the sum of 3 Million USD allegedly preceded the attack. Li, a father of four, reportedly told investigators that he had gone to the restaurant to collect money he claimed he had invested in the business.
Police said Li was later arrested at Parika Police Station and subsequently led investigators to an area near Parika Junction, where a chopper was recovered from a drain.
Cao was taken to De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was subsequently taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home.
The child was laid to rest on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Cao has since been remembered in the Parika community as kind-hearted and always willing to help, while his former Hydronie Nursery School also paid tribute to him.
The Minister of Human Services, Dr Vindhya Persaud has also met with Cao’s parents and pledged support to the family during their bereavement.
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