MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Lawrence Sergeant, the father of slain Christiana High schoolgirl Shantina Sergeant, has been charged with her murder one month after her charred remains were found behind their family home in Baillieston, Clarendon.

Sergeant was charged by detectives on Wednesday after forensic evidence, including DNA testing, identified the charred remains as that of his daughter.

Police theorise that Shantina was struck with an object before her body was placed behind the home in Baillieston.

A post-mortem confirmed that Shantina died from blunt force trauma.

Her father was questioned in the presence of his attorney weeks ago.

He was arrested in Old Harbour, St Catherine, four days after the charred remains of his 13-year-old daughter were found behind their home on October 6.

The elder Sergeant is also before the courts facing a grievous sexual assault charge he was slapped with last month. Police said the charge stems from Sergeant being accused of molesting a six-year-old a few years ago.

— Kasey Williams