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Liberty Foundation Caregiver Fondled Female Minor
posted (October 21, 2009)

For one year he has been working as a caregiver for boys at the Liberty Children’s Home in Ladyville Village but for the next two years forty year old Herbert Stuart will be spending time behind bars inside the Belize Central Prison. That is because today the former caregiver was sentenced after he was found guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature on one of the young female residents at the children home.

And justice came swiftly as court reports are that two days ago, the fourteen year old girl was in the library watching television. Seated next to her was Herbert Stuart. According to the minor, Stuart started fondling her private parts. The brave young teenager angrily protested and ran to complain to the Director of Liberty Foundation.

The director Delfina Mitchell who appeared in court testified and corroborated the victim’s testament. The girl’s story was also supported by another care giver including the police constable who arrested Herbert Stuart. The matter was heard before Senior Magistrate Dorothy Flowers. Throughout the hearing Herbert Stuart remained silent.

Today, when 7News called Liberty Foundation its director Delfina Mitchell says the quick arrest and conviction demonstrate that they have a sound system in place to swiftly deal with any such cases that it does not continue. It was the first for the children’s home. According to Delfina Mitchell anyone they hire must present a police record and go through a two week orientation but somehow Herbert Stuart slipped through the system because as we were made to understand Herbert Stuart did fulfil both requirements before he was employed.

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