LUUU

Title: Escaped Ward of the State was HIV positive

Message Body:
Met ah wonda which facility this and mi get goose pimples thinking about how much man dem pass it on to.

Escaped girl had HIV

Workers worried they may have spread virus

Some female wards who had escaped while being housed at a place of safety are back in state care. However, concerns exist as to where they were and in whose company, THE STAR understands.

Our news team has been advised that three juveniles had escaped over the past three or so weeks and at least two of the three females who were on the run were persons living with HIV.

Information reaching THE STAR is that there had been extreme efforts to recapture these girls before unsuspecting males in surrounding communities who desired sex viewed them as vulnerable.

A member of staff at the facility spoke to THE STAR on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorised to speak on the issue.

However, according to the worker, out of concern for persons who would have no idea that the girls were infected, as there were no clear signs to suggest such, the person was willing to speak on the matter.

Remand

The member of staff expressed, ”I glad say dem catch dem back cause dem look mature. One wid the virus escape last week and dem hold har back Friday. Another two did escape round about the same period, but only one out of dem two deh had the virus, dem hold dem back yesterday and remand dem, di two a dem.”

The worker continued, ”Mi a tell yuh wah can reach some man enuh cause dem girl deh have the big A, and any man would see them and maybe try put dem up and ting. Dem fresh and young and if unprotected sex come into play dem only a destroy dem self cause dem girl ya bad. That’s why most of dem are here.”

Attempts by THE STAR to speak with the relevant personnel at the place of safety proved futile as repeated calls to the administrative office went unanswered.

When contacted, the police confirmed that two female wards of the State that were previously on the run had been recaptured in the area, and returned to the place of safety.

The officer could not confirm, however, if the girls had the HIV virus.

He said, ”I was not informed so I cannot say whether or not, what I am concerned about is that girls are constantly escaping from the facility which is becoming too frequent, and persons in the surrounding communities are readily available to put dem up, that is what needs attention.”