Death at Day Care: Manslaughter charge recommended for owner 

Two weeks after an infant died while in the care of an Ogle, East Coast Demerara Day Care, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised the Police to charge the owner with manslaughter.

The News Room was reliably informed that the case file was recently returned to the Police with advice that there is sufficient evidence to charge the owner, Denise Benn with the crime.

The advice came about a week after the DPP returned the file to the Police, asking that they conduct further investigation.

A joint investigation was launched into the incident which claimed the life of seven-month-old Oriya Gravesande on March 21 at the Little Learners Day Care.

The infant died hours after she was dropped off at the Day Care by her mother.

An autopsy later determined that haemorrhaging, suffocation and compression to the neck were the causes of death.

During the investigation, the owner of the Day Care was taken into Police custody but was later released on cash bail.

The News Room understands that the baby girl was found unresponsive and taken to a health centre where medical professionals attempted to resuscitate her.

The healthcare workers there subsequently called an ambulance from the Georgetown Public Hospital but it seemed too late.

The child was pronounced dead at the city’s main hospital minutes after she was brought in.