SWAMP, St Ann — Tuesday’s killing of two little boys, allegedly by the father figure in their life, has been condemned by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), and other sections of society.

Police report that three-year-old Shamair Henry and his one-year-old brother Amair Saunders died from multiple stab wounds inflicted with a pair of scissors while they were in their crib.

“Today, Jamaica weeps. Let us come together in prayer for the two precious lives cut short and for the mother and relatives who must now face this unspeakable grief. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” the prime minister said in a statement.

“No parent should ever have to endure such a tragedy, and as a country we mourn alongside them. As a society, we must be vigilant in safeguarding the well-being of our children. Whenever there are signs that they may be at risk, it is important that action is taken to protect them,” Holness said.

“The Government remains committed to strengthening our systems of support for families and ensuring that our agencies are responsive in situations where children may be endangered. Protecting the most vulnerable among us is not only a duty of the State but also a responsibility of each and every citizen,” he added.

The main suspect, a 22-year-old man identified as the father of Amair Saunders, is now in police custody in connection with the incident which CPFSA CEO Laurette Adams-Thomas described as “beyond tragic” and “absolutely horrific”.

The boys’ mother is also reportedly in custody; however, she is not believed to be the focus of the investigation at this time.

“We shudder to think of what these innocent children may have endured in their final moments. Our hearts are also with the mother, who has suffered the devastating loss of her only two children,” Adams-Thomas said in a statement.

Reports are that some time after 8:00 pm Tuesday night the suspect, the two toddlers and their mother were at the suspect’s home in Swamp, St Ann, when the suspect consumed ganja tea and began acting out of character. On observing his strange behaviour, the boys’ mother, who was visiting from Dunrobin in Mandeville, Manchester, ran from the house and went to Moneague Police Station where she reported the incident.

The police detained the 22-year-old man and an alarm was raised as the two young boys could not be found. A search was launched and the following morning their bodies were found in bushes close to the house.

In its release, the CPFSA said the boys’ mother was also injured during the incident.

“Reports indicate that [she] had been visiting her younger son, Amair, who lived with his father, and brought along her other child, Shamair, when the tragedy unfolded,” said the CPFSA’s Adams-Thomas.

— Akera Davis