MONTEGO BAY, St James — The mother of a nine-year-old boy, who allegedly walked more than five kilometres to get to his father’s house, will return to the St James Parish Court on September 30 to answer a charge of child cruelty.

The child’s welfare came under the spotlight last Wednesday after he reportedly left his mother Jessica Jarrett’s home in Porto Bello and walked to his father’s residence in Mount Salem. According to Google Maps, that is a one-hour-and-16 minute commute. The court was told the boy complained of pain to his feet when he arrived at his father’s house.

Allegations are that the incident, which happened on July 17, began with his mother asking him why he had not taken the garbage out from the kitchen. Jarrett reportedly cursed her son before sending him outside and instructing him to go call his father.

When the young boy arrived at his father’s home, his parent became concerned after the child complained that his feet were hurting.

In court last week, the circumstances surrounding the boy’s whereabouts prompted the judge to question his mother about whether she had gone looking for him.

“Didn’t you miss him, ma’am?” Judge Grant-Pryce asked.

“Yes, miss. I went to look for him and even called his father,” Jarrett responded.

However, Jarrett – insisting that she knows her child well and it seemed out of character – dismissed the suggestion that her son had walked from Porto Bello to Mount Salem. She indicated that she wanted evidence of his trek to be presented in court.

The boy is now living with his father, who was present during the proceedings and indicated that he is trying to obtain custody of the boy.

“So is there a custody battle now?” Judge Grant-Pryce asked.

“No, Your Honour, but I would like to process that as well if that can be done… But if he wants to take the child, he can take him,” Jarrett answered.

For the child cruelty case against her, the court was told that statements from the arresting officer and the current girlfriend of the child’s father were outstanding. The girlfriend was reportedly the first person to see the child when he arrived at his father’s house, and she reportedly observed swelling on his feet.

Judge Grant-Pryce subsequently extended Jarrett’s bail until September 30 and issued a strong reminder to both parents that their child must come first.

“Mother and father, in your private moments, consider the child. If this is just to get back at one parent and one parent getting back at the other parent, the child is the one who is going to suffer. Consider the welfare of the child in everything you do,” the judge urged.

“At the end of the day, I’m urging you, do not use the child as a weapon of mass destruction between the two of you. The child is the only person that will suffer,” she added.