A 17-year-old girl accused of exposing her breasts during the Carnival festivities in San Fernando has endured much in her lifetime. She was burnt as a child during a fire at her home, got pregnant after writing Secondary Entrance Assessment examination and is now the mother of two children, aged four and two. She was arrested on J’Ouvert morning, appeared before a San Fernando Magistrates Court and was remanded to the St Ann’s Hospital for a mental evaluation.
On Monday when she re-appeared in court, she pleaded guilty to a charge of wilfully and obscenely exposing herself in public. Sixth Court Magistrate Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds heard that around 10.20 am on March 3, the teenager was wining in front of judges at Rienzi Kirton Highway when she lifted her jersey over her breasts. She was not wearing a bra. There were several onlookers, including children.
When the police cautioned her, she said: “So, officer, I cyah expose meh goods? Is Carnival.” The magistrate inquired about her home life and asked the girl how she got burnt. The teenager, who has scars on her arms, said there was a fire at her mother’s home when she was seven or eight. She said she passed SEA but did not attend secondary school because she got pregnant. The teenager’s mother was asked to provide the girl’s birth certificate on the next occasion.
The magistrate asked the mother to think about whether she would be willing to let her daughter and two grandchildren stay with her. She also told the girl she was an expensive commodity and should put a high value on herself. The magistrate asked the police to verify the addresses of both the teenager and her mother. The teenager was remanded into custody and the matter adjourned to tomorrow.