Protect children before tragedy strikes

Dear Editor,

I write to you as a student currently pursuing a certificate course in social work, with the GOAL scholarship to further my education and better serve my community. The horrific death of seven-year-old Isabella Dabadial at the hands of her mother is a tragedy that has deeply affected me, not only as a Guyanese but as someone training to be part of the very system that should have prevented this.

First, my deepest condolences to the father, Kirwayne Dabadial, to the grandmother Lalita Bridgelal, and to all who loved Isabella. No words can undo the pain of losing a child in such a violent manner. I also extend my sympathy to young Ethan, who must now carry the trauma of witnessing his sister’s death. May the family find comfort in Scripture: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, KJV)

To any parent or caregiver reading this who feels overwhelmed: Please know that you are not alone. If you are experiencing despair, financial hardship, or thoughts of harming yourself or your children, reach out immediately. Speak to a neighbour, a relative, a pastor, or call the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) hotline at 227-0979 or the Ministry of Human Services at 227-7070. There is no shame in asking for help. Your children need you to take that first step. If you know someone who seems withdrawn or in crisis, do not wait, check on them, bring food, offer to watch the children, or help them contact a social worker. As Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, KJV)

Regarding social work and legal reform: This case reveals glaring gaps in our frameworks. Sarah Shivpersaud reportedly expressed frustration, financial distress, a recent separation, and a history of domestic abuse. Yet no structured support, no home visit, no crisis counselling, no emergency assistance, reached her before Sunday morning.

First, we need a national, well-funded social work infrastructure that proactively identifies at-risk families. Our current system is reactive, understaffed, and often only appears after a child dies. Every community should have trained social workers conducting wellness checks where there are known risk factors: previous domestic violence reports, parental mental health concerns, or sudden economic hardship.

Second, Guyana’s laws must evolve. The Protection of Children Act and the Domestic Violence Act are valuable, but enforcement remains weak. We should mandate that police flag homes with repeated domestic violence calls for automatic social work follow-up. Additionally, we need legal provisions for temporary holding and assessment when a parent exhibits suicidal or homicidal ideation, before a tragedy, not after.

Third, we must legislate for accessible mental health crisis intervention. The mother reportedly messaged the father with a 15-minute ultimatum. A crisis hotline with mobile response teams could have intercepted that moment. No parent should feel that killing her children and herself is the only escape from despair.

I am completing a certificate course in social work because I believe prevention is possible. My goal is to earn the certificate, so I can pursue advanced training, through an accredited online degree programme, to help build a stronger, more responsive social safety net in Guyana. But scholarships and individual effort are not enough. We need political will, public investment, and legal reform. As Scripture says, “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17, KJV)

Isabella’s death is not just a family catastrophe; it is a systemic failure. Let her memory compel us to build a Guyana where no child is ever left so dangerously unprotected.