The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is cooperating with the police, following the arrests of three former staff members of the Clifton Boy’s Home, in Darliston Westmoreland yesterday.

The manager of the facility, 80-year-old Irene McDonald, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding.

Her son, 58-year-old William McDonald, who was the assistant manager, and her granddaughter, 35-year-old Rasheda McDonald, a housekeeper at the facility, have both been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Speaking with Irie FM News, Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA Rosalee Gage-Grey said, the matter was investigated through the agency’s monitoring officer and reports were made to the relevant authorities, including the police.

She noted that the agency is also working with the home, to ensure similar instances of abuse do not reoccur.

She is encouraging persons working in homes across the country, to refrain from harming children in their care.

And, State minister in the ministry of youth, Robert Morgan, said the arrests of the three former staff members at the Clifton Boy’s Home in Darliston, Westmoreland yesterday, should send a clear message, that the government is not tolerating abuse of wards in childcare facilities.

The arrests follow investigations into allegations of physical abuse at the private facility.

Noting that the former staff members are innocent until proven guilty, Mr. Morgan explained that the arrests are an indication of the zero-tolerance approach undertaken by the government.

Mr. Morgan said the government will continue to work to address challenges within childcare facilities, across the island.