The Office of the Children's Registry, OCR, is disturbed at news of the number of bodies of children found over a seven-day period since last week.

The body of a five-year old girl from St Mary was discovered last week by a family member who went to check on her. In another incident reported on Monday in that same parish, the body of a 14-year-old girl was found near a river where she had reportedly gone on Sunday to wash clothes and bathe. This was followed by reports on Wednesday that the dismembered body of a 14-year old girl in Westmoreland was found near her school.

The OCR says it finds stories such as these troubling and has called on citizens who may have any information regarding the death of these children to report to the police without delay. The agency also extented sympathies to the family, friends and community members of the children.

full potentials

Registrar at the OCR, Greig Smith, said: "The reports about dead children in recent days are alarming, as youngsters who should be living to attain their full potentials are being robbed of that opportunity ... ." He said that mechanisms should be put in place to guard against children being left alone."

The registrar reminded members of the public that since the Ananda Alert system was created in 2009, persons no longer have to wait 24 hours before reporting a child missing.

Members of the public are also being reminded to report all cases of known or suspected missing or abused children to the registry. Persons may do so by calling: Toll free-1-888-PROTECT (7768328), LIME-9082132, 822-7031, 754-9133; DIGICEL-618-5888, 878-2882; FLOW-631-8933, 631-8908. All reports received are kept confidential.