Gov’t refutes claim it offers no help to Wint’s family

The national security ministry is refuting claims that the government has not provided any support to the parents of the teenager, who committed suicide at the Horizon Adult Correctional Facility recently.

Vanessa Wint’s parents told the media yesterday that they had received no help from the government to cover funeral expenses.

This prompted social security minister, Derrick Kellier to offer assistance through his ministry.

However, a media release from the national security ministry this morning, said a $190,000 cheque was handed over to Vanessa’s mother yesterday.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Annmarie Barnes, said the ministry wrote the cheque payable to the funeral home, after it received a request from the lawyers representing the family.

When contacted this morning, Vanessa’s mother, Simone Henry, said she was on her way to meet with her lawyer about Kellier’s offer to cover the funeral expenses.

However, she did not mention receiving a cheque.

Her phone went unanswered when the Gleaner/Power 106 News centre tried to reach her subsequent to receiving the national security ministry’s release.

Vanessa was found with a sheet body was found in a cell on November 21, with a sheet around her neck.

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