THE CLARENDON couple who tussled with the Mandeville Regional Hospital over the identity of a dead child, was yesterday vindicated when DNA tests carried out on the infant proved that the baby is not theirs.The couple, Pansy Campbell and Roy McLean, of Gimme-me-bit, Clarendon, have consistently denied that the dead child was theirs, citing the lack of a birth mark and other evidence that they said their child had.
But up to April 1, 2003, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), under which the hospital falls, refuted their claims, insisting that the premature child was properly cared for and that every step was taken to make sure that the infant was correctly identified.
SRHA yesterday revised its tune and Health Minister, John Junor ordered an investigation into the matter, which resulted in a highly publicised disagreement, lasting over six months.
In a statement yesterday, SRHA apologised to the couple for "any anguish and trauma caused" but insisted that it had carried out an investigation and followed the correct procedures in identifying the infant, whose body has remained at Lyns Funeral Home in
Mandeville since September, after the couple refused to bury it.
But while happy that the truth came out, the couple now has more questions about the fate of their missing child.
"No matter what dem want fi say, mi want fi ask them now, where is Pansy?" Ms. Campbell questioned.
For his part, Mr. McLean said he now wants to hear what the hospital has to say about the revelation. He promised strong legal action.
"A nuff shame wi bear cause of this. People say a we kill we pickney, dem can never compensate we fi dat," he said, adding that he was angry that the hospital had caused him and Ms. Campbell to suffer so much.
DNA samples were taken from both parents and the dead baby's body in mid-May and the tests took place at Lyn's Funeral Home. The tests were paid for by Radio Jamaica Communications Group and sent to laboratories in Kingston and the United States.
Reports are that the child was transferred from the May Pen hospital in Clarendon on August 21, 2002, a day after it was born because it developed respiratory distress syndrome.
The hospital reported that the child's condition deteriorated and on September 1, 2002 was pronounced dead by a doctor.
The hospital claims that efforts to inform Miss Campbell of her baby's deterioration and subsequent demise were unsuccessful, as there was no contact number. This, Ms Campbell, denied.
SRHA said that Baby Campbell's body was then sent to Lyn's Funeral Home, following established procedures to ensure proper identification.
The parents have been waiting for over six months for proof that their baby girl has died. Ms. Campbell has since reported the matter to the police and retained the services of a lawyer.
