KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Government legislator Olivia Grange has condemned the horrific killing of a nine-year-old girl, Kelsey Ferrigon, in St Catherine and urged members of her community against seeking revenge.
In a statement late Saturday, Grange, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, said the Government was offering support to Kelsey’s family and that a reward would be offered for information leading to the capture of the perpetrator.
“The news of the horrific killing of a nine-year-old girl, Kelsey Ferrigon, in my constituency has shocked and angered the nation.
As a nation, we are all pained by this cruel and wicked act of violence. It feels overwhelming to us, but imagine how much more difficult it is for Kelsey’s family and friends, especially her mother, on the eve of Mother’s Day.”
‘Speaking as the Minister for Gender Affairs and as Kelsey’s Member of Parliament, I ask that we remember the family and the entire community in our prayers. As Government, we will provide all our support at this time, but your thoughtful prayers will also be appreciated.”
Grange said she spent Saturday in the constituency trying to comfort and commiserate with those who have been affected “by this latest act of brutality against a little girl. Like everyone there, I feel the pain of this vile act to my core.”
“Understandably, there is a lot of sadness and anger in the constituency, but we need justice for Kelsey, not revenge. I commend the police for the intensity of their investigations so far. I urge my constituents to work with the police to pursue justice.”
“I call on anyone with information about this horrific incident to make a report to the police. The Minister of National Security is offering J$2 million for information, which we hope will lead to the quick capture of the perpetrator in this case.”
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang also responded to the killing, describing it as “an outrage,” particularly at a time when the police have been effectively reducing the number of murders by double digits.
Chang said this “horrific act” will not go unpunished.
He vowed that the full force of the law would be used against the perpetrator and directed the Commissioner of Police to utilize every available resource to bring those responsible to justice.
The National Security Minister added that the tragedy demands more than just the capture of criminals, stressing that it compels all good citizens to confront the deep-seated issues within the society that allow such barbarity to occur.
The police report that late Friday, the body of Kelsie Farragon, a student of St John’s Primary school, was inside a barrel, covered with pieces of clothing, at her home.
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after Kelsie’s mother departed for work earlier.
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