By CECILY ASSON Thursday, July 24 2008

GASPARILLO police have been accused of dragging their feet regarding an appeal by social workers made almost a month ago for them to rescue two children from an abusive home.

Calls to the police station confirmed that a social worker visited the station and reported that two children under the age of ten, are living with abusive parents and other relatives, one of whom, is before the courts on a charge.

The police source also confirmed that following the report by the social worker, no action was taken and the children in question remain in the care of their parents.

Commenting on the situation, a social worker said, “It seems to us that the police probably waiting for another child to die before they act. As social workers, the community informs us on what happens but we don’t have the authority to remove the children. The police are the only ones who can take the matter to court before we intervene.”

According to the source, one of the two children was molested several months ago by a male relative yet no action was taken by the police.

What makes it even worse, the social worker said, is the fact that it was a policeman who reported to the Social Services that the two children were living in a family whose members have a history of abuse.

“When the policeman informed us of the situation, we took up the issue and reported it to senior officers. But nothing was done,” the social worker said. “Unless police act and act quickly, children will continue to be abused in society. We hope our line minister Dr Amery Brown intervenes on behalf of children.”

A police officer yesterday told Newsday that they would not “judge a parent” or remove children from their home unless there was enough evidence to do so.