A national task force reviewing how Guyana protects children is expected to submit its findings and an action plan by the end of December, President Dr Irfaan Ali said on Friday.

Ali gave the timeline when asked about the death of one-year-old Trayden Tanner following a medical emergency at a licensed daycare in Sophia. The broader review began in October after two children were killed, one in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, and the other in Charity, Essequibo Coast.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall is coordinating the task force, which brings together government agencies, law enforcement, the judiciary and civil society. Ali said the team is reviewing existing laws, policies and programmes and looking at how agencies can work more closely with one another and with schools. Its report is expected to identify gaps and recommend steps to address them.

Meanwhile, police and the Childcare and Protection Agency are investigating Trayden’s death. The agency said Chelsea OD’s Daycare and Playgroup called around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, to report a medical emergency. The agency advised that he be taken to the nearest health centre. He was later pronounced dead at the C-Field Health Centre.

It has been reported that a post-mortem conducted on Friday found that Trayden had choked on food and sustained blunt-force trauma to the head. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Orlando Jaikarran
Trayden Tanner
Keron Latchman