A couple from the Belize District has landed in the Magistrate's Court for allegedly subjecting their children to ill-treatment.
To protect the children who are minors, we cannot reveal the identities of the accused. But, 7News understands that a social worker escorted a 12-year-old boy to a police station. He told police that he has lived with his mother and stepfather for almost 4 years now. He said that he has 3 other siblings and that for the entire duration of his stepfather's presence in their lives, he has been treating them terribly.
Police investigated the child's report, and they arrested and charged the minor's mother and stepfather with 1 count of child cruelty, which was allegedly committed sometime between November 1st, 2020, and November 22nd, 2020.
The stepfather was charged with another count of child cruelty, and 2 additional counts of harm against 2 male minors. Both the mother and the stepfather were also jointly charged with 1 count of harm upon the 12-year-old minor.
Reports to 7News are that the mother and stepfather were arraigned yesterday, and they were released on bail of $4,000. We understand that they have a court order which mandates that they must stay away from the children.
