Berbice father recounts final moments before child’s death

The father of seven-year-old Isabella Dabidyal, who was killed in a tragic incident in Berbice, has recounted the final moments leading up to the child’s death, as police continue their investigation.

Kirwayne Dabidyal told reporters that he left the home he shared with the children’s mother, 26-year-old Sarah Shivpersaud, on Thursday following a dispute. He said he went to stay at his mother’s house in Skeldon.

According to Dabidyal, Shivpersaud contacted him on Sunday morning warning that if he did not return home within 15 minutes, he would regret it. He said she later made a video call, during which he saw the children lying motionless on the ground.

“It was too late,” he said. “At this time, I am grieving a lot. If I could have done anything to save my daughter, I would have.”

The incident unfolded hours after Shivpersaud’s mother, Lalita Bridgelall of Canefield Settlement, East Canje, spoke with her daughter on Saturday night and again early Sunday morning. Bridgelall said Shivpersaud had declined her offers to visit.

Later on Sunday, Bridgelall was alerted by a relative that Shivpersaud had posted a photograph of herself with her children, captioned: “Me and my babies last pic! I’m sorry! May God forgive me.”

Alarmed, Bridgelall went to the home in Fyrish Village, where she found the door padlocked from the outside. After gaining entry with assistance, she discovered Shivpersaud and the children unresponsive.

Police later confirmed that Shivpersaud suffocated Isabella and attempted to strangle her one-year, nine-month-old son, Ethan. She also slit both her ankles and was rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where she remains under police guard. Isabella was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dabidyal said that when he returned to the home after the incident, food items were present.

Investigations are ongoing, and Shivpersaud is expected to face charges in connection with the child’s death and the attempted murder of her son.