Tavares-Finson issues reminder of parental duty following death of siblings in Saturday blaze

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Attorney-at-law and Government Senator, Christian Tavares-Finson, is issuing what he describes as 'a gentle reminder' to parents and guardians of their duty of care under the law to ensure the safety and protection of their children. Tavares Finson's comments come following a tragic incident over the weekend in Rose Gardens in Kingston where 4-year-old Samson Cameron and his 7-year-old sister Keriecia Hutchinson were burnt to death. Police reports are that the children were left alone when fire consumed the dwelling they were in. READ: Two children perish in Smith Lane fire While he expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, Tavares-Finson also maintained that, despite the reality of socio-economic challenges, society must not forget its duty of care to children. "I want to use this opportunity, firstly as a father and as an attorney at law to remind those persons who have children under their custody and care that the Child Care and Protection Act, Section 9.1, requires a duty of care to those children, not to expose them to harm or to circumstances that may cause unnecessary suffering or injury,” the attorney noted. Tavares-Finson continued, “I am sensitive to, and I understand the socioeconomic circumstances persons may find themselves in; they may have to go to work and so on. But I am pleading to those persons to be mindful not to leave those children unattended. I believe that circumstances like this, they are one too many and we must take every step and make every best effort for these kinds of situations not to be repeated." The Senator expressed deep sadness at the deaths of Keriecia and Samson describing their deaths as an “unimaginable event”. "My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the children's family, loved ones and all of those affected by this devastating tragedy", Tavares Finson said.