UPDATE:
(Friday, June 5, 2026), The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) wishes to update the public on its intervention as regards the Peter Bono Jallah’s case in which a child was reportedly subjected to sexual abuse.
The Ministry emphasizes that from the onset of the incident, a joint Governmental response including the JFK Hospital, Ministry of Justice and MoGCSP as well as partners promptly responded in ensuring that the child gets a holistic recovery support.
The Ministry further notes that given the importance of the child’s situation, an immediate medical assessment was arranged and subsequently approved by authorities of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center during which time he was provided appropriate treatment for about a month.
Subsequently, the child was released into the care of the Ministry of Children and Social Protection and placed in a safe home where he received care, protection, and psychosocial support.
As a follow up intervention, the survivor was regularly taken to the JFK Medical Hospital where he was later diagnosed and treated of appendicitis. The survivor stayed another week at the hospital until his full recovery.
Throughout his stay in the Ministry’s care, the child received continuous psychosocial support, medical attention, and other interventions in line with national child protection standards and the Ministry’s mandate including visitation to the St. Benedict Rehabilitation Center in Pipeline, Paynesville City.
However, due to other confidential matters, and in consultation with the Ministry of Justice (Sex Crime Unit), the child was turned over to his biological mother, Ms. Sattarus S. Kennedy, on May 8, 2026, with a commitment from SOS Children Village to provide additional support including family assistance to both child and mother. The mother signed a handover certificate as she gladly took possession of her child. Additionally, there were several follow-up efforts by his ‘Case Worker,’ to maintain contact with the survivor.
Later on May 19, 2026, Ms. Kennedy visited the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection where she took delivery of personal items for the child. During her visit, the child’s mother did not disclose that the child had any medical condition or situation at the time.
The Ministry would like to further clarify, that upon receipt of the child by his biological mother, the survivor was well and in good health.
Following reports that the child was abandoned on yesterday, June 4th, 2026, through a social media facebook post, the Ministry in collaboration with JFK Medical Center and LNP dispatched a team on Friday, June 5th, 2026, to Ms. Kennedy’s residence to confirm the child’s condition and provide subsequent support where needed.
Upon arrival, the child was not seen at the residence of Ms. Kennedy’s but she informed the team that the child is currently in the care of another family member, and will be made available to our team on Monday, June 8, 2026, to conduct assessment and provide intervention where applicable.
The Ministry wishes to emphasize that all actions taken throughout this process were guided by the best interests of the child, and the Ministry’s statutory responsibility to safeguard vulnerable children. The Ministry further warns against the circulation of one-sided narratives and attempts to politicize sensitive child protection matters.
We further encourage the public and stakeholders to engage the Ministry directly for accurate information before publishing reports on sensitive child protection issues.
Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice and relevant partners to ensure an accountable judicial process in matters involving child protection and sexual and gender-based violence.
We encourage the public to utilize the 116 Gender-Based Violence Hotline to report cases of abuse, seek assistance, or make referrals.
Signed:
D. Webster Cassell
Communication Specialist
