With the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorising charges to be laid against 24-year-old Shannon Miller in connection with the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias-Plaza in Tobago, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine remains dissatisfied with the progression of the case.
Questions emerged almost immediately regarding the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s disappearance on May 11th from his Goodwood home, with the child’s mother, Khadijah Tobias, and stepfather, Shannon Miller, coming under heavy public scrutiny.
They were both taken into custody on May 15th, along with five other individuals. All were released except Miller.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine voiced strong concerns about the handling of the case and what he described as serious shortcomings in the initial response by authorities
“I am not satisfied with how the TTPS managed this case. I feel as though justice is not being served. I feel as though justice is still delayed, and I think the first perhaps 48 hours or so of this entire case was just not handled well in my opinion. It’s beyond me what a two-year-old could do an adult that would make an adult want to get rid of a two-year-old. It’s a two-year-old. And subsequent to the activity, I can’t understand why we didn’t much earlier call the parents to account.”
While the TTPS is defending the management of the investigation, the Chief Secretary hopes that lessons can be learnt to ensure a smoother road to justice.
“This is a whole human being that we cannot give an account for, and Tobago and Tobagonians have a right to be dissatisfied, to be incensed by how this entire case was managed.”
In a recent update on the matter, Senior Superintendent Rodhill Kirk confirmed that the search for missing Angelo has been called off after days of extensive resources being used to locate the child.
He explained a search will only recommence if credible information is provided.
In the meantime, Shannon Miller is expected to appear before a Scarborough Magistrate on murder charges.