MWI Statement on Child Sex Attack Conviction
A spokesperson for the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute [MWI] spoke on the recent conviction of a MWI outpatient for a sex attack on a 5-year-old girl, saying, “Our sympathy is with the victim in this case. It is a very sad incident and our hearts go out to the young girl and her family. We need to remember, however, that it is extremely rare that our outpatients are a danger to the public in this way.”
The assault occurred in July 2010, and shortly after the Police Service arrested two men in connection. After the attack, the young victim’s father was quoted in a ZBM news report as saying, “the light has gone out of his little girl’s eyes.”
25-year-old Merrick Seaman was convicted of two counts of sexual exploitation by a Supreme Court jury yesterday, and was remanded into custody to be sentenced at a later date.
During the trial, the Court heard that the 5-year-old girl was playing outside another child when Mr Seaman lured her away and sexually assaulted her.
Despite the defendants denial he had anythin to do with the attack, tests confirmed the presence of Mr Seaman’s DNA on the young girl and her clothing.
A MAWI spokesperson said, “Our sympathy is with the victim in this case. It is a very sad incident and our hearts go out to the young girl and her family. We need to remember, however, that it is extremely rare that our outpatients are a danger to the public in this way. This case is a tragic but very rare exception.”
“We are sensitive to the concerns of our neighbours and the general community and do not encourage people using MWI services to remain in the area if they don’t need to be there. However, we are not empowered to prevent people using public areas just because they are accessing a mental health service. This would be a form of discrimination.”
“If anyone has specific concerns about specific individuals, or witnesses potentially criminal behaviour, however, they should immediately contact the police irrespective of whether that person is a service user at MWI or not.”
Glad this sick-minded man is behind bars
I suppose it’s too much to hope that he receives the treatment he obviously needs while in Westgate lest he re-offend when he is released.