MONTEGO BAY, St James — It will be another three weeks before a woman whose 13-year-old daughter travelled to another parish and had sexual intercourse with a man learns her fate.

A verdict was expected to be handed down, Thursday, in the cruelty to a child trial that is before St James Parish Court. However, a heavy Tax Court schedule — the norm on the fourth Thursday of each month — meant Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton, who presided over the case, had limited time to address the matter.

It was rescheduled to July 18 and the defendant’s bail was extended.

The woman is accused of wilfully exposing her daughter in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering, contrary to Section 9 (1) of the Child Care and Protection Act.

The woman’s name is being withheld to protect the identity of her child.

According to information disclosed in court, the accused woman allowed her daughter to leave St James to attend Grand Market — an event in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland — in the company of a 19-year-old male friend. They left on December 23, 2023. The minor was expected to return home on December 25.

The girl stayed at the 19-year-old’s house until December 25. According to court testimony, on that day she was in contact with another man who took her to his house and engaged in sexual activity with her. It is against the law to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

The following day the man provided her with a ‘morning after’ pill, contraception that can be taken to prevent pregnancy.

On December 26 the young girl was on her way back to Montego Bay, in the company of the man and one of his friends, but their journey was interrupted by the police. Cops escorted them to Savanna-la-Mar Police Station for interrogation.

The teenager’s mother was subsequently arrested and charged.