Janay Moguel returns home after treatment abroad

janay moguel

Back in February, a seven old girl was caught in a cross fire on Central American Boulevard. Janay Moguel was along with her grandfather when they were both shot.  Another innocent bystander, Darrell Williams, was also shot in the incident and passed away days later. Over the past months, little Janay has been getting treatment abroad. Family and friends were on hand today when she returned home. News Five’s Isani Cayetano was also at the PGIA when Janay disembarked her flight.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Seven year old Janay Moguel arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport late this afternoon to a grand reception.  Her aunts, cousins and grandparents were among the welcoming committee who waited anxiously near the exit of the arrival lounge for little Janay’s appearance.

Janay Moguel, Shooting Victim

“I miss my family cause I was far away from them a long time.”

It’s been several months since Janay last saw her relatives as she has been away in Birmingham, Alabama receiving treatment for a spinal injury received during a shooting incident in early February.  Her grandfather Steven Ramdas was along with her that evening when they were both hit during the crossfire.  Ramdas has fully recuperated from the ordeal but Janay, who is still in the process of recovery, is confined to a wheelchair.

Steven Ramdas, Grandfather of Janay Moguel“I feel so proud and good that I see them come back good you know.  So I would want to see her come out ah ih chair and start to walk good you know, like first.”

While Ramdas hopes that someday soon his granddaughter will be able to live a normal life the reality her mother has had to face is that despite dramatic improvement in the recovery process Janay might no longer be able to walk again.

rose moguel

Rose Moguel, Mother of Janay Moguel

“Well presently she’s doing better because when she had left she wasn’t moving her neck.  She wasn’t holding her body upright on her own and now she’s doing all that.  She has more strength and sad to say she is paralyzed.”

The experience has been life changing for the Ramdas family who has had to deal with the fact that their beloved Janay, as much as she is upbeat and energetic, is no longer the same physically.

Camille Ramdas, Aunt of Janay Moguel“Personally, for me it was a tragedy after I had lost my brother and so seeing her back now it’s overwhelming but we are very happy.  We are very happy to have her back.”

Her mother Rose says that they have begun working with Janay to get her back in school and reintegrated with her peers.

Rose Moguel

“Janay is the same person only that she has a disability now.  Nothing’s wrong with Janay’s brain only that we know that she will have to do some type of counseling and continue counseling.  But Janay still can and still will go to school and I will push her to the fullest.”

Janay, who is equally anxious to get back into the classroom, also misses her friends.

Janay Moguel

“I want to say my friend Ghia, my friend Kayline, my friend Rhea, my friend Shemaughn,  my friend Danica.”

The story of the seven year old Grace Primary student has won the hearts of many as she is one of two children to survive being shot as a result of the ongoing gun violence in Belize City.  Eight year old Marquise Mahler who was shot last month wasn’t so lucky. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.

camille ramdas

steven ramdas