An Investigation Underway in Case of Unaccompanied Minor

Lliani Arthurs

So is there some level of neglect for which the parent or guardian can be held accountable? Director Arthurs says that while migrating to another country for better opportunities is legal, an assessment is underway to determine whether or not there are charges to be levelled against the little girl’s parent in Belize.

Lliani Arthurs, Director, Department of Human Services

“The relevant social services has to do an investigation on a case by case basis. As I mentioned at the start of this interview, the phenomenon of migration is not new and it is not wrong. People move for various reasons. And so in and of itself is not necessarily neglect; it is because a parent might think that this is what is best for that child to go to another country. Depending on what are the circumstances of that family; we talked about the threats; we talked about economic situations. When you look at what is happening in Belize right now with so many people unemployed, with people struggling, parents will make decisions that they have to have a determinant. Do I stay here and have my child starving or try to send them to get a better opportunity? And so that in itself is not wrong. But what we have to caution parents is that like we talked about in terms of those risks, is the way that you do that. And so if you have the option for a child to go to another country legally and safely, then of course that is the better option. If it is that the investigation finds that there was neglect, then of course our child protection protocols would kick in, in terms of the court process and all of that and the continued engagement with parents so that they are educated.”