Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The common-law couple charged with aiding and abetting a 30-year-old man in sexually molesting their 12-year-old daughter, allegedly for a piece of land, have been granted bail.

The 38-year-old mother and her common-law husband, 43, both of Rockland, St. Elizabeth, are facing an additional charge of exposing a child to immoral behaviour.

Resident Magistrate Stanley Clarke, yesterday granted the couple bail, each in the sum of $80,000 with one surety in the Malvern RM Court.

Investigating officer, Constable Yvette Graham of the Santa Cruz Police Station told The Gleaner that the two were not asked to plead, but were taken before the court for bail to be considered.

They are to return to court next Monday.

As part of the bail condition, they are to report to the Santa Cruz Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

In state custody

The 12-year-old girl is being kept in state custody for care and protection, according to an order made in the Santa Cruz RM Court on Thursday. She is to return to court on March 16 when it is likely that an extension will be made.

The police are alleging that, in January of 2006, the child and her family were living in a rented house elsewhere and had subsequently moved. In May of that same year, the father of the accused man assisted them with a piece of land on which they could build a house.

Police say in that same month the child went to live with the accused man, who is on the run.

The accused's father has denied that his son was intimately involved with the child at any time.