HOW T&T FAILED HANNAH

SEVERAL days after the discovery of Hannah Mathura’s skeletal remains, the authorities had still not assisted her brutalised siblings.

That is just one disturbing example of the gross failure of the authorities to intervene in this ghastly and long-running crime.

Hannah, a disabled teenager, was murdered in 2017 and buried in a foot-deep hole on the family’s premises.

She had endured vicious beatings, which were reported to the police and Children’s Authority, with no action being taken.

Eight brothers and sisters were victims of atrocities at the hands of a dysfunctional family, with their screams prompting concerned neighbours to lodge reports with the authorities.

One neighbour told of making several police reports, including eight visits – all in vain.

The St. Joseph Police found various reasons not to investigate.

The Hannah Horror illustrates the dramatic breakdown of the official system to protect juveniles from criminals, including family members, and bring offenders to justice promptly.

Tormented neighbours said they felt they were living next to a murderous maniac, and they had nowhere to turn for justice.

Shortly after Hannah was no longer seen, one person spoke of a stench in the area.

It was likely the girl’s rotting corpse.

The gated Valsayn community is generally private, but, over time, neighbours became agitated by the abuse of the children, the ban on their movements, and the generally torturous circumstances.

The loud shrieks often broke the still air and also the hearts of agonised neighbours.

The saga of savagery took place in a middle-class community in a nation with modern laws and institutions to guard against such barbarity.

The search for Hannah’s remains was done only after one of the brutalised siblings escaped the house of punishment and alerted the authorities.

The response from the police was refreshingly prompt.

But it was seven years after Hannah lost her precious life.

Days after the discovery of the teenager’s buried remains, Government officials had still not learnt anything from the collapse of the system.

Instead of being repentant and undertaking a review of procedures, officials were unfairly pointing fingers at neighbours for not alerting the powers-that-be.

Hannah’s murder and the unrelenting torture of her brothers and sisters could have been averted if the system had worked.  

But there is no indication that this revolting crime would lead to an audit of the efficiency of the Police Service, Children’s Authority and other relevant institutions.

No one in authority in those bodies has made such a pledge.

The inhumanity endured by Hannah and her siblings is unlikely to bring any improvement to the system of operations of these vital agencies.

That is yet another frightening dimension of this horrendous and sustained crime.