Accused says she was not trying to hurt child; she just wanted attention from her daughter’s dad

A young woman who filmed herself “choking” her one-year-old daughter to get the attention of the father has admitted her guilt and is now spending one month in prison on remand.

The tearful mother was warned by this island’s Chief Magistrate that children must not be used as pawns in any situation, after she explained that she had made the video ill-treating her child simply to get the attention of the child’s father.

“Children are innocent and must be protected,” said Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes. “The fact that you did not understand that your child should not be used as a pawn to get his attention tells me you have some serious work to be done and we have to work seriously with you,” Weekes told Shanice Nikita Alicia Reece, of Sargeant’s Village Main Road, Christ Church, in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

He however assured the court that while Reece would get the necessary help and counselling, she would have to “reflect” on her actions during a short period of remand at Dodds, pending her sentencing.

The 27-year-old woman, who has other children, pleaded guilty to the October 15 offence of willfully ill-treating her child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

“Members of the public must understand that there are consequences. I intend to get you counselling early, but I need you to reflect first before I give you that counselling,” Weekes said.

“It cannot be that because you say sorry, that is it. Too many things are occurring where people are sorry and we have lost children. Where I sit here today, I have a responsibility to all these young innocent children. A message has to be sent to parents in relation to their children and the serious responsibility.”

After Sergeant Victoria Taitt gave the court the details of what happened, Reece, who admitted her actions were “wrong”, said: “The video was not supposed to go viral. I just send it to the father to get he attention. I wasn’t trying to hurt my child.”

The prosecutor disclosed that the baby resided with her father, with whom Reece has an intimate relationship. However, the man is also involved with another woman.

Two days after the child’s father was at her residence, Reece, who allegedly wanted more quality time with him, ventured to the man’s home to speak with him but he was not there. She then took the child and returned to her place and proceeded to record the video with her hand around the child’s neck while directing certain statements to the man.

The child’s father showed the video to his family and his girlfriend and the matter was reported to police.

Reece told the court: “The video was not put out there
. . . to say that I am going to harm my child.”

She explained that when the child’s father came over to her place he was not “paying me any mind”.

“It start playing with my brain and I try to talk to he and he was like he don’t care.”

But the Chief Magistrate asked: “From what had happened before, I think you should have understood that this is not worth the effort. If he isn’t caring, you may just need to move on.”

A crying Reece replied: “That’s what I make up my mind that I would do.”

Weekes queried, “After you have reached this stage?”

Before remanding the woman until November 8, the Chief Magistrate said: “There are too many parents out there who do not understand the responsibility they have in raising children and because we have to protect the innocent, I have to let you sit and reflect on the serious nature of what occurred. I will help you though, I will help you. Your case will help many others . . . .”

The video of the woman and child was circulated on social media and evoked much rage from members of the public. fernellawedderburn@barbadostoday.bb