Carnival Video Featuring Child Sparks Public Outrage and Police Investigation

Over the weekend, a video of a child dancing vulgarly with a woman during the carnival road march sparked outrage on social media. The video, posted on Facebook by the child’s mother, captured the minor dancing behind a carnival reveler. While a few felt the incident was amusing, it raised the ire of countless residents and sparked a release from the Ministry of Human Development and Families. The ministry condemned what they view as ‘inappropriate public display of a sexual nature … as it highlights a very troubling disregard for the safety and well-being of minors and the public in general’. The ministry says the lewd display compromised the child’s privacy and exposed him to undue scrutiny and potential harm. The video also captured the attention of the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who is currently out of the country. On Facebook, Commissioner Williams remarked that the video was tantamount to an assault of a sexual nature upon that child. He stated, quote, “If we as a society do not see something wrong with such action then certainly something is wrong with us. The Police must at the very least bring in the child, his parents, and social to address this matter.” End of quote.  However, while Williams says the police will address the matter, today, his Belize City Eastern Division Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero was clueless. Here’s how he responded to the media’s questions on the video.  

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division:  “I am not aware about that post so I cannot comment at this time.”

Our newsroom reached out to the child’s mother for comment, but our efforts were fruitless.  Her response on Facebook, however, was hostile and obscene.