While I join those who are rightfully outraged at the actions of the 19-year-old mother, who allegedly abandoned her two-year-old daughter, I read with disappointment the comments of Children's Advocate Mary Clarke and Hear the Children's Cry's Betty Ann Blaine.

Both have been quick to condemn the mother and apparently want to see her punished. Shouldn't the case of the teen mother, almost a child herself, be carefully consi-dered before judgement is passed?

Though child abuse can never be excused or condoned, there are so many questions to be asked. Has this young woman herself been abused and abandoned by her own family or the child's father? Has she been offered any counselling or help with regard to caring for, not just a 'baby', but a physically challenged baby?

Let us be careful to judge each case of child abuse on its own merits and not be so quick to make summary judgements. Far too often it causes us to ignore other issues, which really should be addressed if we are to reduce the cases of child abuse which are recorded in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

KAI-NNEKA TOWNSEND

keavika@hotmail.com

London

England