Woman begs Family Services not to take away her daughter

The mother of an 8-year-old girl is protesting what she sees as attempts by the Family Services Division to take her daughter away from her, for no justifiable reason.{{more}}

Vernette Dublin vehemently denies accusations that she abuses her child; stating that she loves her daughter very much.

Dublin, a resident of Fountain, visited SEARCHLIGHT with her daughter on Wednesday, to explain her situation.

The 47-year-old woman said she shares custody of the girl with the child’s father, her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had been in a relationship for 10 years.

She explained that as part of the custody arrangement ordered by the court, the father has visitation rights every other Saturday. He is also required to take the child to school every weekday morning, and bring her home in the afternoon.

Things came to a head last Monday evening when Dublin said her ex-boyfriend brought the child home after 6:00 p.m., causing her to ask why the child was being brought home at that hour.

“I say why you bring the child home so late,” Dublin related.

Stating that she was upset, the mother of two said she then told her daughter to go back with the father.

She said the child began crying and went to her father, who took her with him in his vehicle.

Dublin stated that soon afterwards, she called the father asking him to “Bring back her child”, but he hung up the phone on her.

After trying repeatedly to contact the man, and getting no response from him, Dublin said she left home and went to the police station to report the matter.

When she returned home, Dublin said that she was greeted by three police officers, and Nicola Evans, the Director of Family Services, who was seated in a vehicle with the little girl and the child’s father.

The police, she said, told her they had come to collect clothing for the child.

Dublin said at this point she became frustrated and started to cry and asked that the child be returned to her.

She said she was not given any explanation as to why the child was not allowed to stay with her. She however said she refused to hand over any clothing, as she did not want the child to go.

Despite her pleas, the child was not allowed to remain with her, Dublin said.

The following day, the distraught mother said she went to the school her child attends in Kingstown. She said she spoke with the Headteacher, who told her the child’s father had brought the grade three child to school.

A relieved Dublin said she then took her daughter home with her.

But this was not to be the end of her troubles.

She said while at home on Tuesday night, Evans again showed up, again accompanied by three police officers, in an attempt to take the child. She said she pleaded with the police officers not to take the child, as she had done nothing wrong.

Dublin said during the Tuesday night visit, Evans asked to see the child and asked the girl if her mother beats her.

Dublin said the child replied “No”.

This time, the child was allowed to stay with her mother.

Dublin, who has an older daughter, reiterated that claims that she beats the child are untrue, adding that she will never do anything to hurt her.

SEARCHLIGHT spoke with Evans, who said that in Dublin’s case, there are concerns about the safety of the child. Evans stated that she acted within the law, and she does not need permission to take the child from the parent.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Children (Care and Adoption) Act 2010 part six under Emergency Protection states that “If the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that a child is in need of protection and the health or safety of the child is in immediate jeopardy, the Director may with the assistance of a police officer and without the need for any further authority other than that conferred by the subsection, enter any place or premises where the child is believed to be present or to reside and search for, locate and take the child into custody”.

Evans added that she acted based on reports received, and that she was concerned for the child.

She said further investigations will be carried out into the case.