KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it is horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic murder of 10-year-old Shani Coke, whose partially nude body was discovered with her throat slashed along a dirt track in bushes in the Tyre district near Troy, Trelawny.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency described the tragedy as a painful reminder that too many of Jamaica’s children continue to fall victim to horrific acts of violence perpetrated by adults who should be protecting them.

The CPFSA stressed that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where they are protected, valued and allowed to realise their full potential.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams Thomas, said the agency mourns with the child’s family and the wider community as they grapple with this heartbreaking tragedy.

“There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy. This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams; her parents should have been given the chance to see her graduate from primary school, from university, to see her walk down the aisle…Instead, she was made to become a statistic, another victim of unspeakable violence. We cannot continue to accept these horrific acts as a normal part of our society. Every time a child is abused or murdered, we fail in our collective duty to protect those who depend on us most,” she said.

She further stated that the tragedy must also serve as a national call to action and urged every Jamaican to reject the culture of violence against children and instead embrace our shared responsibility to safeguard their well-being.

“This must be a turning point for Jamaica. We must cultivate an environment where the protection of our children is an immediate priority, transcending the rhetoric that simply designates them as the future. Every child is precious, every life has immeasurable value, and every adult has a responsibility to intervene, to report abuse, to speak up and to act. If we truly believe that our children are our greatest asset, then our actions must begin to reflect those words,” she said.

“Jungle justice, however, is not the appropriate form of intervention and is not supported by the CPFSA,” the CEO continued.

The agency said first responders are on the ground conducting an investigation to determine whether there are other children connected to the family whose safety and well-being require immediate intervention.

It said the officers are also assessing the psychosocial needs of the victim’s family and stand ready to provide the necessary support.

READ: UPDATE: Police identify child killed gruesomely in Trelawny