By Mark DaCosta- Bibi Fareena Joseph, a 33-year-old housewife from Zeelugt on the East Bank of Demerara, has been charged with attempting to murder her nine-year-old daughter. The case came before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Leonora Magistrate Court on Thursday, where Joseph appeared virtually to face the serious indictable charge. She was not required to enter a plea and has been remanded to prison until August 2, 2024, when the matter will be revisited.
The incident occurred three Sundays ago, around 22:00 hrs, following a heated argument between Joseph and her boyfriend. During the altercation, the boyfriend reportedly insulted both Joseph and her daughter, expressing his desire for them to leave the house. Following this confrontation, Joseph allegedly attacked her daughter with a chopper, inflicting a wound on the child’s left arm.
The young girl managed to flee the scene and sought help from a nearby neighbour, who quickly transported her to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. Medical staff there confirmed that the child was in a stable condition before she was transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital for further treatment.
Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered Joseph with a chop wound on her own left arm, which she claimed to have inflicted herself. She was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital for medical evaluation and, after being discharged, was placed under arrest at the Leonora Police Station.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, and the charge against Joseph underscores the severe nature of the alleged offence. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issues of domestic conflict and violence affecting families in Guyana.
As the legal process continues, members of the public have taken to social media to express concern about the well-being of the young victim and the implications of this case for domestic violence awareness and intervention efforts in our country.
