The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is aware of a video circulating on social media in which a minor, previously reported missing, is shown at the time she was located in the company of an adult.
The TTPS acknowledges the commitment of community organisations, including the Hunters Search and Rescue team, in assisting with the search for missing persons. However, the Service is deeply concerned that the video identifies a child in circumstances that may form part of a police investigation.
Images of missing children are shared with the public for one purpose only: to help locate them. Once a child is found, that purpose ends.
Continuing to publish their image, name or any detail that may identify them exposes the child to stigma, trauma and further harm.
The TTPS reminds the public that the identity of any child who is the subject of a police investigation is protected by law. Publishing or sharing any material that may lead to the identification of that child may constitute a criminal offence, whether by traditional media, social media users or any person who reposts such content.
The matter is being investigated by the Special Victims Department. The child is safe and is receiving appropriate support, including through the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
The TTPS therefore:
- Calls on all persons and organisations to remove the video and refrain from sharing it further.
- Requests that platforms and page administrators take down existing posts.
- Urges anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the police at 555, 999 or 911, or the Special Victims Department’s Regional Offices at 612-0102:
- St Clair (Region 1) – ext. 16055–58, 16064–68
- Gasparillo (Region 2) – ext. 45060
- Oropouche (Region 3) – ext. 66013, 14
- Maracas/St Joseph (Region 4) – ext. 61093
- Sangre Grande (Region 5) – ext. 71085, 87, 91, 92
- Shirvan Road, Tobago (Region 6) – ext. 14132–35
The TTPS values its partnerships with community groups and will continue to work with them to ensure that efforts to protect our children never place them at further risk.