KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Executive Officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Laurette Adams-Thomas, is urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant in prioritising the safety of children following the death of nine-year-old Samuel Clarke, who drowned in a water tank on a neighbouring property near his home in St Elizabeth.

Preliminary reports indicate that Clarke entered the unsecured water tank while attempting to retrieve a ball he had been playing with on Thursday. At the time, he and a sibling were reportedly left in the care of a landlord, but he had gone outside to play unsupervised.

Adams-Thomas, in a press release on Monday, expressed profound sorrow and extended condolences to the child’s family.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of young Samuel Clarke. On behalf of the CPFSA, I extend sincere condolences to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. No family should have to endure such a tragic and preventable loss,” Adams-Thomas said.

This incident comes just weeks after a similar tragedy involving five-year-old Rakeema Williams of Clarendon, who drowned in an open cistern at a property where her family was temporarily residing.

CPFSA said the recurrence of such incidents has heightened concern within the agency.

Adams-Thomas emphasised that these tragedies underscore the critical importance of supervision and safe environments for children.

“These repeated incidents serve as a painful reminder that children are especially vulnerable to environmental hazards. At no time should children be left unsupervised, particularly in spaces where there are open or unsecured water sources. Leaving children unattended, even for short periods, can have devastating consequences. Lack of proper supervision also constitutes neglect, which is a form of child abuse under the law,” she said.

The agency is also reminding parents, guardians and property owners of their responsibility to ensure that their surroundings are safe for children. This includes conducting regular checks to secure all water sources such as tanks, cisterns, drains, ponds, and other bodies of water.

“We are urging all caregivers and property owners to take proactive steps to secure water sources. Water tanks and cisterns must be properly covered and locked, while ponds and other natural water bodies should be securely fenced with controlled access. We must all take responsibility for creating safe spaces for our children. Regular checks of your property to identify and secure potential hazards can make the difference between life and death; and these simple preventative measures can save our children’s lives,” Adams-Thomas emphasised.

The agency added that CPFSA first responders provided on-site grief counselling to Clarke’s family following the incident and have referred them to the Ministry of Justice’s Victims Services Division for continued psychosocial support.

READ: Sad Easter as St Elizabeth family mourns drowning death of 9-y-o in tank