Tragedy in Shipyard: One-Year-Old’s Death Leads to Potential Criminal Charges

A family from the Shipyard Community in the Orange Walk District is grieving the loss of a one-year-old child but could also be facing criminal charges. Police say that the child, identified as David Schmidt, was found unresponsive on Friday, November 24, after ingesting suspected poison. The child was in the care of an older sibling, who gave him a bottle containing the substance that reportedly killed him. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero said that charges may be levied pending the outcome of an investigation.

Sr.Supt Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “The child was being taken care of by a sister of 16 years of age when he was given a bottle that contained suspected poison. The child drank the liquid substance and then started to vomit, was taken to a hospital where the child was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigation is being conducted into this matter and we will prepare a file which will be forwarded to the DPP. The DPP will look at it and then determine a charge.”

Thus far, no one has been detained in connection with the incident.