Shantina died from blunt trauma, police say
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A post mortem has confirmed that Christiana High School student Shantina Sergeant, 13, died from blunt force trauma, even as detectives are awaiting forensic evidence to determine who is to be charged with her murder.
Charred remains believed to be Shantina’s were found under a zinc and beside a burnt-out refrigerator at her family home in Baillieston, Clarendon, a week ago.
A senior police source said the teen’s father, Lawrence Sergeant, was questioned in the presence of his attorney on Monday.
“We are still awaiting certain investigative processes… because we are treating with charred remains. The post mortem was done already [and it revealed] blunt force trauma,” the source said.
DNA swabbing was done on Shantina’s father and another family member as part of the police’s probe.
“We just want to confirm all of that before we properly identify the body. Even though at this stage we have no doubt,” the source said.
Lawrence Sergeant was arrested in Old Harbour, St Catherine, last Friday, four days after the charred remains believed to be those of his daughter were found behind their home in Baillieston, Clarendon.
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READ: Father of slain teen Shantina Sergeant nabbed in Old Harbour, police say