Berbice woman shattered by daughter’s actions in child’s death

The mother of 26-year-old Sarah Shivpersaud says she is still coming to terms with her daughter’s actions in taking the life of her own daughter and attempting to do the same to her baby boy.

Lalita Bridgelall of Canefield Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, told reporters that she spoke with her daughter on Saturday at around 22:00 hrs. Shivpersaud complained that the father of her children had left their home since Thursday and had not returned. Bridgelall said her daughter also expressed frustration that he had collected his salary but had not given her any money.

Bridgelall said she offered to visit Shivpersaud, but her daughter declined. She called again at around 07:30 hrs on Sunday to make another offer, but Shivpersaud again refused, saying she had a meal to prepare.

Later that day, Bridgelall received a call from her niece, who revealed that Shivpersaud had posted a photograph of herself with her children, captioned: “Me and my babies last pic! I’m sorry! May God forgive me.”

Alarmed, Bridgelall went to Shivpersaud’s home in Fyrish Village, where she found the door padlocked from the outside. After pulling down a window blind on the ground floor, she saw Shivpersaud bleeding, with her granddaughter and grandson nearby. She called out to her one-year, nine-month-old grandson, Ethan, who responded.

With the assistance of a relative, Bridgelall forced open the door and entered the house. She found Shivpersaud and the children unresponsive. She raised an alarm, and neighbours and police arrived shortly after.

It was later confirmed that Shivpersaud had suffocated Isabella and attempted to strangle Ethan. She also attempted suicide. They were all rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital for medical attention. Isabella was pronounced dead on arrival.

“I can’t take it… I have to have faith. I couldn’t imagine it. Last month, two deaths – her uncle and her father,” Bridgelall said.

Shivpersaud remains hospitalised under police guard. She is expected to face charges related to the death of her daughter and the attempted murder of her son.