BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the hearts of many in St. Kitts and Nevis praying for the safe return of 17-year-old Leanna Napoleon, her family members had met with the Minister of Education, Hon. Shawn Richards, and his Permanent Secretary Vincent Hodge.
During that meeting, they provided an update to the government officials on search operations they had conducted for the missing teen, according to PS Hodge who was a recent guest on the Government’s ‘Working for You’ programme.
He explained that they met Napoleon’s parent and other family members at the request of the Ministry, and was joined by the Principal of the Basseterre High School, Mr. Benjamin.
The teen has been missing for over a week and has not been seen or heard from since last spotted on Fort Street which, according to reports, she was there to collect a package from an uncle.
“Minister Richards and I spent some time talking with and try to offer them as much emotional support,” Hodge said. “We recognize that the police are still actively pursuing the case. We heard that there was an arrest and a release and an arrest again of a family member connected to the young lady that is missing.”
He noted that they are expected to issue a press statement on the missing teen to “see how much we can encourage the community who may have information to come forward”.
Hodge is of the view that parents need to be informed of their children’s whereabouts, as too often many children are seen out late at nights and some in their school uniforms.
“This is something that our parents need to pay special attention to, as well as our students. Too many times, at certain times we see students, even in uniform, at places where they are not supposed to be; even at nights. We still have laws on the books which say that kids should not be out later than 10 o’clock, except that they are accompanied by an adult. I am certain that it is still on the books.”
The PS, who has been residing overseas for a number of years, indicated that he had bragged that St. Kitts and Nevis does not have any problem in the area of missing teens.
However, upon returning home, he has recognized that the problem exists.
He reiterated the call for parents to be on the alert and know where their children are and with whom they are engaged.
“So, parent [are] to be on the alert to make sure that they know where their children are. It doesn’t matter whether they are in high school, you have to know where your children are.”
