The body of a nine-year-old child was found in Fairfield, St. James today, after criminals allegedly hijacked a car from the mother, this morning.

The St. James police say they were alerted to the incident at about 11:45 AM.

Reports are that the woman was heading in the direction of Montego Bay from Tucker, St. James when she was held up by criminals who forced her from the vehicle.

It is reported that the perpetrators drove away with the child who was still in the motor car, at the time of the robbery.

The police say a motor car fitting the description of the one that was hijacked was located shortly before midday in the Fairfield community.

The child, whose throat had been slashed, was found in the motor car.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Councillor for the Spring Garden division in St. James, Dwight Crawford who visited the scene where the car was found, has described the incident as unfortunate.

Noting the brutal nature of the murder, and others that have happened in the parish recently, Councillor Crawford called for the re-imposition of a state of emergency in the parish.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson said investigators are following several leads, as they probe the murder.