One day after Shannon Miller appeared before the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on murder charges linked to the disappearance of his two-year-old stepson, Angelo Tobias-Plaza, the Tobago House of Assembly is sending a clear message about the collective responsibility to safeguard children.
Little Angelo was reported missing on May 11th from his home in Goodwood, sparking a massive search on land and sea, but his body was never found.
The circumstances of the case raised many questions, deeply impacting citizens, and on Wednesday, all members of the Assembly Legislature issued statements regarding the need to rethink how society views the protection of children.
Assemblyman Megan Morrison, Mt St George/Goodwood: “We must confront the culture of silence and indifference that allows vulnerable children to remain at risk.”
Councillor Adanna Joseph-Wallace: “What does it mean to be a sovereign, civilised nation, the greatest little island on the planet, if we cannot guarantee the safety of those who carry our future?”
Assemblyman Nigel Taitt, Signal Hill/ Patience Hill: “How did we allow ourselves to become disconnected from the culture of collective care?”
Assembly Member Kern Alexis, stated: “If we are serious about protecting our children, ladies and gentlemen, then we must rebuild the community spirit that says your child is my concern and my child is your concern.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine stated that the THA must move beyond reactive governance and proposed the formation of the Tobago Child Protection and Support Initiative, which seeks to bring together all agencies working with children.
“Too often agencies operate in silos while warning signs fall through cracks. That must change.”
He said other proposals include addressing mental health issues, parental support, after-school and youth engagement programmes, along with continued collaboration with protective services.
“The TTPS must also undergo serious capacity training in learning how to investigate crimes against children and crimes committed within households. The THA is prepared to fund such support.”
Twenty-four-year-old Shannon Miller was not called upon to plead when he appeared before a Scarborough Magistrate on charges for the murder of Angelo. A sufficiency hearing in the murder case is expected to resume on November 30th at the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court.