The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is to expedite investigations into two recent disturbing incidents involving children.

On Sunday, 5-year-old Mickele Allen was mauled by dogs, as he walked home after being sent to a shop; while Oshane Banton’s body was found just hours after he went missing in Clarendon on Saturday.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Robert Morgan says he has asked the CPFSA to expedite the investigations of both incidents.

While extending sympathies to the families, Minister Morgan is imploring parents and communities to be more vigilant in safeguarding, and extending care to the nation’s children.

He notes that as part of its response mechanism, the CPFSA has visited the affected families and initiated grief counselling.

Arrangements have also been made for therapy sessions and on-going support for the families.

Allen, who was being treated at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, has since been transferred to the Bustamante Hospital for Children, where he is in stable condition.

Meantime, the Minister is urging the public to be more sensitive in its use of images and videos, particularly in relation to children.

According to Mr. Morgan, the use of images of the mauled body of five-year-old Mickele further traumatized his family members, and the image is now a permanent public record that could impact the child forever.

Minister Morgan adds that the ministry is focused on passing key pieces of legislation to better protect children such as the child care and protection act, the adoption act, as well as administrative changes to improve how the ministry responds to matters that affect the well-being of children.