ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas says the eight-year-old girl that was left for dead after she was abducted from school and her throat slashed is a reflection of the “dark days” and “heartless” criminal activities taking place in the municipality.

“…We have seen where a lot of crimes have been taking place and the cloud that hangs over now is just representing those dark days in Portmore. It is a really sad occasion and it is a heartless operation or event that they carried out yesterday. To slash an eight-year-old child’s throat and leave her to die. I am wondering if that person has any brother, sister or any heart at all to carry out such a gruesome act,” Thomas said.

The child is now recovering in hospital.

“Based on reports that we’re getting, the little girl is in the hospital, she has gone through an operation and she is now recovering. I’m hoping that she will fully recover,” Thomas told reporters at the Braeton Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine on Friday.

The girl, a student of the institution, was taken from the school grounds in a motor car, transported to Vineyard Town in St Andrew and thrown from the vehicle.

READ: 8-y-o girl abducted from school in Portmore, throat slashed

Her parent later made an appeal to the public for blood donation.

READ: Parent of 8-y-o girl abducted from school, throat slashed appeal for blood donation

Thomas expressed that there is a sombre mood at the institution, adding that the Ministry of Education, along with guidance counsellors, are offering their support at this time.

“Inside the school, there is a very sombre mood. A lot of the students did not turn up for class this morning, especially the grade two class that the little girl belongs to,” he said.

“We have a lot of representatives from the Ministry of Education and other schools within Portmore, the guidance department is giving support to the school at this time,” Thomas added.

He is appealing to residents to look out for one another and the nation’s youth.

“I am appealing to all the schools and residents, parents within the municipality to be our brother’s keeper, look out for the children because when someone can go to a school and do something like that, it is just time before that comes knocking on other people’s doors,” he continued.