TOWN HEAD, Westmoreland – The Frome police now have in their custody an 18-year-old male whom they suspect was involved in the brutal murder and rape of two little girls inside Town Head, Westmoreland two weeks ago.

The suspect, whose name the police have refused to release, is from Burnt Savannah and has a history of juvenile delinquency, including break-ins and assault.

He is currently charged with the indecent assault of an 11-year-old, an offence he allegedly committed five months ago, and wounding.

“As early as (Sunday) morning, at 3:00 am, he cut somebody, causing a serious wound to the face of the person,” Sergeant E Antino Smith, who has responsibility for the Frome Police station told the Observer.

The two little girls, Shanna Kay Legister, nine, and Sheneka Shakes, eight, were found murdered inside canefields near their school, a day after they were reported missing.

The girls, who were neighbours and schoolmates at the Town Head Primary School, were laid to rest on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Smith said that DNA samples have been taken from the teenage suspect now in their custody.

Those samples are to be matched against the DNA samples, which were taken from the girls after their bodies were discovered.

“In fact, the samples were sent for testing this morning,” Smith said yesterday.

The two men who were earlier held in connection with the double murder and rape of the little girls have been released from police custody since there was no evidence to tie them to the incident.