Mary Clarke (right), Children's Advocate, chats with Allison Anderson, CEO, Child Development Agency, at yesterday's launch of Child Month by the National Child Month Committee, at the Scout Association of Jamaica headquarters on Camp Road, Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Gleaner Writer

A stern warning was yesterday sent to "irresponsible and neglectful" parents by Health Minister Horace Dalley.

The minister vowed that before he retires as a parliamentarian he would ensure that legislation was passed, making parents accountable for their children.

"You are going to be held accountable by law if you leave your children and they perish. Too often parents are gone to the shop or to the bar leaving their children unattended," Mr. Dalley said.

He was speaking against the background of Sunday's fire which killed two infants who were left unattended in a one-room board house on Spanish Town Road, Kingston. Their teenage mother has since been taken into police custody.

National Child Month launch

Mr. Dalley made the statement while addressing the National Child Month Committee's launch of Child Month activities, at the Scout's Association of Jamaica Headquarters, Camp Road, Kingston. Child Month will be observed next month.

He has also promised to focus on street children.

The theme for this year's Child Month activities, which was officially launched by Douglas Orane, chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Ltd., is 'Fathers, your children need you!'

Dr. Pauline Mullings, chair of the Child Month Committee, said that this year's theme was carefully selected with the view of highlighting the role, contribution and impact that a father can make in the entire development of his child's life.