Religious leader charged after Clarendon girl allegedly taken for ‘three days of darkness’

Three people have been charged with abducting a 13-year-old Clarendon girl who, police allege, was taken to participate in a supposed religious ritual dubbed 'three days of darkness'.

The child was allegedly abducted on April 7 and rescued on April 15 by investigators assigned to the National Strategic Anti-Gang Division (NSAD) of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC).

The accused have been identified as 60-year-old Byron Hunter, a welder and religious leader; 35-year-old Donna-May Taylor; and 38-year-old Rushea Hunter — all of an Ewarton, St Catherine address.

According to investigators, the teen was allegedly taken from her home in Four Paths without the knowledge or consent of her mother. A missing person report was filed, prompting an immediate investigation by NSAD detectives.

The probe led police to a home in Ewarton where the missing girl was found.

Two other children were also discovered at the premises and were later found to be unregistered for school.

"The Clarendon teen was reportedly taken by the religious leader for a special upcoming event, akin to ‘three days of darkness’. The accused, one of whom is her aunt and the mastermind behind the abduction, were taken into custody and the children were removed from the home," the police alleged in the statement.

All three are scheduled to appear in the Home Circuit Court on April 28.

The police are urging parents and guardians to exercise increased vigilance regarding the safety and welfare of their children, and to be cautious of organisations, including those operating under the guise of religious groups, that may promote beliefs or practices endangering children.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation or who wishes to report suspicious activity is asked to contact C-TOC at 876-967-1389, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police 119 emergency number, or the nearest police station.

Byron Hunter and Donna-May Taylor have been charged with:

- Abduction of a child under sixteen

- Being a member of a criminal organisation

- Two counts of duty to secure education

- Three counts of duty to report need for care and protection

Rushea Hunter has been charged with:

- Conspiracy to abduct a child under sixteen

- Being a member of a criminal organisation

- Two counts of duty to secure education

- Three counts of duty report need for care and protection

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