Don’t judge, begs grieving relative

The aunt of 10-year-old Deshawn DePeiza Best who drowned in a swimming pool at an unoccupied residence at Providence Terrace Christ Church on Sunday is asking Barbadians to sympathize with relatives at this difficult time and to desist from making negative comments regarding the circumstances that led to the boy’s death.

A grieving Marcia Franklyn said that while Dashawn’s relatives are in pain over his untimely death, they are also hurting over judgemental comments circulating on social media and elsewhere.

“Children will be children no matter what. People must not spread things that they don’t know the truth about. You can’t hold onto a child tight, you can’t tie him. People talking negative talk but God knows. I don’t mind, but I know he [Dashawn] is mine.

“But don’t point your finger. Today for me, tomorrow for you. All of we does cry, but we don’t cry together. Weeping endureth in the night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Franklyn told a Barbados TODAY team that visited Dashawn’s Parish Land, Christ Church home.

Barbados TODAY understands that Dashawn, a student of St Bartholomew’s Primary was at the swimming pool of the residence with his peers when the incident took place. Police say they received a call just after 2 p.m. and a patrol from Oistins Police Station was immediately dispatched to the area. On arrival, the officers confirmed the incident. The ambulance was summoned but the emergency personnel found no sign of life and Dashawn was pronounced dead at the scene.

From early this morning, the grief-stricken faces of relatives and friends standing outside Dashawn’s home told the story of a community in a state of shock. Dashawn’s father was too overcome with grief to speak about his child.

However, Franklyn said her nephew, whom she described as a loving and helpful child, went to the pool with his friends, unknown to his relatives. She said she last saw Dashawn just after 10 a.m. and noted that she, like other family members all living in close proximity to each other thought he was over at the home of one of his friends playing, as was the custom.

“I thought he was down here playing, We did not know that he was that far. When I got the news it hurt. I could not even find no clothes to put on. I went up the road the same way. I ain’t even know how I get up there,” she said.

Franklyn said she will forever remember the memories she created with Dashawn whom she helped to raise from the time he was three years old. She said she often accompanied him on his walk to and from school, and never failed to correct him when he did wrong.

“He used to be there at me. Iwash and cook for them. His father does work and I make sure he alright, clothes washed and food to eat. He was a friendly little boy. Lord this touched my heart.I didn’t sleep last night because I baby him,” Franklyn said as tears filled her eyes.

The atmosphere at Dashawn’s St Bartholomew’s School was just as quiet as was the case in his neighbourhood. Principal; Dr Hyacinth Harris told Barbados TODAY that students and staff members affected by the tragedy received counselling from a team of professionals provided by the Ministry of Education.

(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)