Hear The Children’s Cry condemns murder of 14-year-old girl
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hear The Children’s Cry (HTCC) is condemning the brutal assault and murder of 14-year-old Price Johnson on Thursday, February 6 at her home in the Palm Grove Court community off Spanish Town Road in St Andrew.
The voluntary child advocacy and children’s services organisation is also calling for decency from the child’s fellow Jamaicans and cooperation with the police.
“We at Hear The Children’s Cry are sending heartfelt condolences to Price’s family and loved ones, as well as to her friends and members of her school community,” said HTCC director Nigel Cooper.
“Truly, this child’s suffering and loss is a wound to the heart of every well-thinking Jamaican. Every child lost to crime and violence is a loss to the future and wellbeing of our nation,” Cooper added.
“We also condemn the cruel and despicable circulation of photos of her nude body …by depraved and unfeeling individuals. This child has gone to her Lord, but disrespect for her remains is a cruel addition to the pain already being suffered by her heartbroken family and friends,” Cooper continued. He is urging anyone who may know the whereabouts of the suspect in Johnson’s murder to inform the police.
Meanwhile, the St Andrew South police have named a main suspect in the case. He is Imani Lignott of 20 Crescent Road, St Andrew.
Commanding officer for the division, Superintendent Damion Manderson, is urging citizens to contact the police with any information as to Lignott’s whereabouts.
Johnson was reportedly sexually assaulted, stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer. She was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
READ: BRUTAL!: St Andrew community mourns macabre killing of 14-y-o girl
Manderson is also pleading with members of the public to stop circulating nude images of the deceased, calling it distasteful and unacceptable.
“What we appeal to the public to do, though, is to assist us in locating the suspect in this matter,” he said.