Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
SHE CALLED OUT ‘DADA’
Phylisa Prussia's father, Korian, expresseshimself yesterday. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
News
BY ROMARDO LYONS Staff reporter lyonsr@jamaicaobserver.com  
October 17, 2021

SHE CALLED OUT ‘DADA’

Scenes of jubilation after 9-year-old found alive

After restless nights, days of searching and worry, the pain experienced by Korian Prussia, father of nine-year-old Phylisa Prussia vanished when he saw his daughter alive and heard her calling out for him.

“As she see mi, she say ‘Dada!’ Mi glad! You can know that she is strong, because as she see mi she call me. She just say ‘Dada!’ Mi give thanks,” Prussia told the Jamaica Observer yesterday at Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas, minutes after his daughter had been rescued and rushed to the facility.

The relieved father flashed a bright smile outside the hospital room and indicated that the mother of his children, Latoya Dyer, was inside with their daughter.

But moments earlier Dyer hollered and begged to be let into her daughter’s room.

“Me waan see mi daughter… mi need fi see mi daughter,” she bellowed to police officers and hospital staff. She was then escorted to the room by Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson.

Phylisa, a grade four student at Bath Primary and Junior High School, was abducted from her home in St Thomas allegedly by a man who police said is before the court on rape and illegal possession of firearm charges in the neighbouring parish of Portland.

The parents, who operate a shop at their house, told the Sunday Observer that Phylisa was alone on the veranda, playing with her puppy, when the man came to purchase an item some time after 6:00 pm. Phylisa’s older sister then discovered that she had gone missing.

But yesterday sadness and anxiety transformed into relief and joy when police vehicles sped through St Thomas communities, with other motorists transporting family members and friends trailing, with people shouting: “Dem find har! Dem find Phyl,” through windows.

It was pandemonium, as the youngest of boys and girls, and even elders, ran along roadways bellowing: “Dem find har… Dem find the little girl… thank yuh, Jesus!”

Among the searchers was “Fluffy”, Phylisa’s dog who she had been playing with at the time of her disappearance.

“The dog did out here a search wid we from Thursday. Fluffy nuh leave her side,” a relative said.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Oniel Thompson, who led the search for Phylisa, she was found in a hut made of tarpaulin, in bushes in Arcadia District, eastern St Thomas.

DSP Thompson said multiple calls from citizens led the police to Phylisa’s location.

“We received calls from citizens in the Arcadia district that a strange man was seen in the area and, based on the photograph which is being circulated, they suspected that it was the person who actually abducted Phylisa,” he said.

“We went in the area and we went in the bushes and we saw this person, [but] this person made good his escape. The police are now still searching for that person. We continue to search the bushes and where we saw certain things like food items and so on. So we suspected that this is where he stayed with her. We searched, followed the lead and there we found her.”

Further, Major General Anderson told the Sunday Observer that the girl had been found in a state of consciousness.

“She was standing when she was found. Obviously, she has been out there for a little while, so the medical team is attending to her now.”

Doreen Dyer, Phylisa’s aunt, told the Sunday Observer that when she saw her niece she was appeased, yet outraged.

“From Thursday she deh inna bush and when me see how her skin stay and her face, the way the mosquito dem do har, it hurt me,” she said as tears flowed.

“I want to congratulate all the police officers from Bath. Dem work from Thursday night and they have been working with us. Dem nuh leave we no time at all. Bath police deserve a medal. Dem do dem best. Mi nuh know all a them name up at the station, but mi thank all a dem… the community of Bath and all ’bout. A 14 parishes, but mi a say 15. Thank unnu very much fi mek mi find mi niece,” Doreen continued, while sitting on the ground outside the hospital. She had collapsed moments after arriving at the hospital.

Donovan Donnal, Phylisa’s cousin, was one of the individuals who first found her in the bushes. Donnal was adamant that the hunt is far from over, as the kidnapper is still on the loose.

“A three night wi out pon the road a hunt fi mi cousin. A mi favourite cousin that, enuh. Mi love har bad! We feel good say wi find her, but wi waan find di bwoy now. That boy shoulda never inna wi community,” he lamented.

Another relative, Dana Sutherland, said she didn’t give up on hopes that Phylisa would have been found alive.

“My whole body is just numb. Just imagining her in the bush for so long. What she was going through and what she was feeling. But throughout it all I didn’t give up. I didn’t lose hope. No time at all. It’s like I was crying, but I wasn’t crying because I was thinking the worse.

“We just go through and pray, and do it by hope and faith, because we know say wi haffi find her. The greatest thing is that Father God make wi find her safe and the alright. That is the only thing weh matter right now.”

Beverley Edwards, who taught Phylisa in grade one, credits the girl’s safe return to the prayers of many.

“I give God thanks. Thank you, Lord. A lot of prayer was going up for this little girl. From it happened, persons have been storming the mercy seat. I want to say thanks to all the persons who went down on their knees, frustrated before God, and asked him for the safe return of this little girl. I’m so thankful,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Edwards said she visited the family yesterday, and encouraged them to “keep the faith”.

“The community came out and give their full support and I am so thankful. This is Jamaica. This is what teamwork is all about… when we pull together. We are a powerful people and a prayerful people. When we come together as a team, and work together, we are always successful.

“I went by the house this morning after I went across the river, but nobody was at home. She’s now in grade four, and I taught her in grade one. She’s a very, humble, quiet and brilliant student. She’s not a troublemaker. She always has this beautiful smile.”

Meanwhile, Major General Anderson added that the efforts to find Phylisa expanded beyond the police force.

“I think everybody was inspired to keep up the search on this. We had about 450 or so community members out from all the surrounding communities. We also had JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] personnel from St Thomas, Canine Unit, persons from Kingston who joined, Specialised Operations, the JDF [Jamaica Defence Force], helicopter in the space, people from the CPFSA [Child Protection and Family Services Agency] were on the ground, and the Jamaica Fire Brigade. So it’s really a collective effort and we got the exact result we wanted from it,” he said.

“Phylisa is alive. She is being seen by medical persons at the moment, and so that’s the best of outcomes that we could’ve hoped for. It makes it all worthwhile.”

He urged citizens to not partake in jungle justice if they see the accused, and advised them to alert the police if he is found.

“Let the police know. We want to capture him and get him back into custody. We have been speaking to citizens because he is somebody we want to question. We don’t know what else he may have been up to, so we really want to get him alive so we can find out what he’s been up to.”

Phylisa Prussia,the nine-yearoldwho was foundyesterday after shewas abducted onThursday.
Doreen Dyer, aunt of Phylisa Prussia, weepsuncontrollably at Princess Margaret Hospitalyesterday. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)
Medical personnel at Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas shed tears of joy upon the arrival of theyoung girl, Phylisa Prussia, at the institution yesterday.
Commissioner of Police Antony Anderson tries to calm Phylisa Prussia’s aunts who wanted to enter thehospital’s ward to see her.
Dana Sutherland and her dog who helped in thesearch over two days and nights for Phylisa Prussia.
“Fluffy”, the pet dog of Phylisa Prussia whowas on the veranda with her beforeshe went missing, waits on herbest friend on the compound ofPrincess Margaret Hospital whileshe gets medical treatment.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

‘Daylight robbery’
Latest News, News
‘Daylight robbery’
Campbell questions cost to build bases for container houses
September 20, 2026
General Secretary of the People’s National Party (PNP) Dr Dayton Campbell has accused the Government of carrying out “robbery in plain sight” as it re...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica fast becoming a country of ‘overnight’ food – Hayles
Latest News, News
Jamaica fast becoming a country of ‘overnight’ food – Hayles
September 20, 2026
Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Ian Hayles says Jamaica is fast becoming a country of overnight (leftover) food under the Jamaica Labou...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mt Pleasant suffer back-to-back JPL defeats to start season
Latest News, Sports
Mt Pleasant suffer back-to-back JPL defeats to start season
September 20, 2026
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Former champions Mt Pleasant FA have lost back-to-back games to start a Jamaica Premier League season for the first time after...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gov’t has created ‘two Jamaicas’ in healthcare, says Dawes
Latest News, News
Gov’t has created ‘two Jamaicas’ in healthcare, says Dawes
September 20, 2026
Opposition spokesman on health Dr Alfred Dawes has painted a picture of a Jamaican healthcare system where there are two Jamaicas – one for the wealth...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaicans forced to take calculators to the supermarket, says PNP’s Blake
Latest News, News
Jamaicans forced to take calculators to the supermarket, says PNP’s Blake
September 20, 2026
President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Patriots, the Reverend Paul Blake says Jamaicans have been forced to take their calculators along with ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News
WATCH: Golding arrives to sea of orange at PNP’s 88th annual conference
Rosalee Wood Condell, Observer writer 
September 20, 2026
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica -- The energy at the People's National Party (PNP) 88th Annual Conference is reaching a fever pitch as patrons continue to strea...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News
WATCH: Rain fails to dampen spirits at PNP annual conference in Westmoreland
Rosalee Wood Condell, Observer writer 
September 20, 2026
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Persistent showers of rain failed to dampen spirits at the People’s National Party’s (PNP) historic 88th Annual Confere...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Golding reaffirms PNP’s commitment to western Jamaica ahead of annual conference
Latest News, News
Golding reaffirms PNP’s commitment to western Jamaica ahead of annual conference
September 20, 2026
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — People's National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding on Sunday reiterated the party's rationale for hosting the public session...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct