The Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Farley Chavez Augustine, is calling for urgent answers in the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias-Plaza of Goodwood, Tobago.
In a social media post, Augustine said the case has shaken Tobago “to its core” and reflected growing public outrage over the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance. He praised police, emergency responders, volunteers and residents involved in ongoing search efforts, while urging authorities to intensify investigations and examine every lead.
Read full statement below:
Following my public comments on Thursday, I have been struggling to be diplomatic about what is transpiring in the full view of the nation. All of last night this child is on my mind.
Tobago is hurting.
The disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias-Plaza of Goodwood has shaken this island to its core. Every mother, every father, every grandparent and every decent citizen feels the weight of this tragedy. A child is missing. A baby. And Tobago refuses to accept silence, excuses or indifference!
For days now, members of the Protective Services, emergency responders, volunteers, villagers, fishermen, hunters and ordinary citizens have searched land and sea in the hope of finding little Angelo. We thank every single person who has stood in solidarity with this child and his family during this painful period.
But let me say this clearly.
TOO MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED!
The public outrage and heartbreak now being expressed across Tobago and Trinidad are JUSTIFIED. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE DAMN VEX ABOUT HOW THIS IS UNFOLDING AND THE NANCY STORIES THAT ARE BEING PEDDLED.
The people are demanding accountability because something about this situation does not sit right with the national conscience. A two-year-old child does not simply vanish without explanation. Two year olds don’t ordinarily climb through ditches and over obstacles to the ocean in the pitch black night. Tobago is not prepared to normalize the disappearance of children.
This matter must be treated with the highest level of urgency, seriousness and investigative intensity.
I therefore call on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Homicide Bureau, the Child Protection Unit and every relevant national agency to leave no stone unturned in this investigation. Every lead must be pursued. Every inconsistency must be examined. Every person with information must cooperate fully with the authorities.
If there has been negligence, it must be exposed.
If there has been wrongdoing, it must be prosecuted.
And if there are persons withholding information, they must understand that silence in a matter involving a child is unacceptable.
This tragedy must also force us as a society to reflect on our collective duty of care to children. Too often, after incidents like these, we move on too quickly. We cannot. The protection of children is not optional. It is a sacred responsibility.
Today, Tobago stands with Angelo.
We stand with the people of Goodwood who have cried out for justice.
We stand with every citizen demanding truth.
And we stand with the belief that this child matters.
A nation is judged by how it protects its most vulnerable. There can be no peace, no comfort and no closure until answers are found.