Villagers and members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team from Trinidad were up to late last night searching for six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, who was reported missing from his Bath, West Coast Berbice home on October 14.
The child’s father, Bharrat Jaikarran, remains in police custody as investigators review additional surveillance footage and continue efforts to establish what happened to the boy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, police said ranks had searched several locations in Bath, including surrounding backlands, on Friday, October 16, but had not located Orlando.
While that statement said three persons were in custody, Region Five Commander, Senior Superintendent Lonsdale Withrite, subsequently said that two had been released, while the child’s father remained detained.
Orlando’s grandmother, Dhankumarie Gowkarran, speaking to the media, said her son had denied harming the child when she questioned him about the disappearance. According to her, he said that he loves his children and would never hurt them.
Gowkarran said she received a telephone call from her son informing her that Orlando was missing. He subsequently went to the Fort Wellington Police Station to make a report.
The boy was reported missing on the morning of October 14 after his brothers, aged seven and 10, reportedly awoke and discovered that he was not there.
Gowkarran described her son as a hardworking cane harvester who ensures that his three sons attend school regularly. She said the children would usually visit her after school before returning to their nearby home.
She also said the children’s parents separated approximately two years ago and that their mother provides financial support through the court system.
The grandmother expressed hope that Orlando would be found safe, saying she continued to place her trust in God.
Police investigations and searches are continuing.
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