Cabbrina Lennox, Gleaner Writer

ORACABESSA, St Mary:

RESIDENTS OF the Spicey Grove community, St Mary, are mourning the death of eight-year-old Adrian Nicely; whose body was found in a nearby river.

Reports are that, on Sunday, Adrian's mother Monica Rhoden, went to the Oracabessa police and reported the boy as missing. His body was found Monday evening by a farmer who smelled a foul odour.

When The Gleaner spoke with Adrian's mother Monica Rhoden, she said, despite her son being a troublesome boy, she was sad that he is dead.

"(Friday morning), mi wake cause mi did have flu and say mi ago dig off the marl off a the house back, and mi tell him fi carry some water, and him say him nah guh carry none, but mi never argue, but him a bawl and say him nah carry none, but him eventually carry it. Mi tell him no fi lef' the yard, him did deh here till mi miss him.

But from mi daughter tell mi say him go river, mi start look down a di river fi him. But the thing with him, Adrian don't listen, mi can't talk to him," she told The Gleaner.

She added: "A six a dem mi carry, mi bawl when mi hear, mi weak, but mi dream it sey Adrian did aguh dead," she recalled as tears ran down her face.

Meanwhile, the Oracabessa Primary School has been plunged into mourning.

Judith Robinson, Adrian's teacher, said he was a kind, loving and helpful student who was loved by his peers.

"He is everybody's friend, he love to sweep, he doesn't give any trouble, he would be at school and no one knows he's there. He always has a smile on his face and he would just sit down sucking his tongue."

The Oracabessa police are investigating.

rural@gleanerjm.com