Opposition lawmaker Phillip Paulwell has expressed gratitude for the prayers and support given in recent weeks following the disappearance of his 10-month-old daughter Sarayah and her 27-year-old mother Toshyna Patterson.
The police have since charged four persons, including Leoda Bradshaw, a US Navy petty officer who has an eight-year-old child for Paulwell, for kidnapping and murder of both the mother and baby. She appeared in the Supreme Court last Friday after being charged with two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder.
“I am praying for Toshyna’s family who I know are experiencing the unbearable grief and pain of losing their beloved daughter and grandaughter,” Paulwell said.
“I thank the many Jamaicans who have been generous in your prayers, your kind and thoughtful expressions of love, support, and solidarity for me and my family,” he added.
The opposition parliamentarian said the murder of a mother and an innocent baby is unimaginable.
“As a human being, father, lawyer and legislator, I am hoping that all who were involved are brought to Justice and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said, as he thanked the police for their tireless work.
The Crown alleged that Bradshaw, through her cousin and co-accused Roland Balfour, contracted men to kidnap and murder Patterson and Sarayah.
Balfour has been charged with two counts of accessory before the fact to kidnapping and two counts of accessory before the fact to murder.
In the meantime, two other men — Roshane Miller and Richard Brown — are to appear before the court later this month in relation to charges against them in the matter.