Families Cry for Justice

By Lamin Bangura

In a joint press statement issued on Saturday May 3, 2025, the heartbroken families of two toddlers tragically found dead within the premises of the National Pentecostal School on Fort Street are demanding immediate answers, accountability, and justice for the unbearable loss of their young children. The tragedy, which unfolded on Tuesday, 18th March 2025, has plunged the families into a state of profound grief, compounded by what they describe as a disturbing lack of transparency and urgency from the authorities.

The two children were reported missing during school hours, sparking a frantic search that culminated in the horrific discovery of their lifeless bodies eleven hours later. The children were found inside a black, stationary vehicle parked within the compound of the Bishop of the National Pentecostal Church, located in the vicinity of the school. Since that devastating moment, the families have fully cooperated with the ongoing police investigation. However, their cooperation has been met with what they perceive as a wall of silence, glaring inconsistencies, and apparent negligence on the part of those responsible for investigating the case. This has not only deepened their pain, but has also ignited serious suspicion and eroded their trust in the official process.

The official autopsy results have revealed the cause of death for the two toddlers to be asphyxia, suffocation, and the inhalation of irrespirable gas, consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning. The autopsy report highlighted several key findings that support this conclusion, including cherry red discoloration of organs and blood, severe cerebral anoxia (oxygen deprivation), and the absence of any signs of physical trauma, further indicating toxic gas exposure as the likely cause.

Despite these clear findings, the families are expressing shock and outrage over several critical failures and the apparent disappearance of crucial evidence. They are particularly disturbed by the fact that all initial suspects in the case were released before the autopsy was even conducted and the results announced. Furthermore, the vehicle in which the children were found dead, was reportedly removed from the scene and has not been seen at the CID headquarters, raising serious questions about the preservation of a vital piece of evidence. Adding to their distress, the families noted the conspicuous failure of both the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education to publicly address this devastating tragedy, leaving them feeling abandoned and unheard by the very institutions responsible for the welfare and education of children.

The circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths are riddled with deeply troubling inconsistencies that continue to fuel the families’ concerns and unanswered questions. They question why, if the children were trapped for hours in the scorching March heat, their bodies were not found drenched in sweat. They find it implausible that two toddlers could walk over 60 metres, enter a parked car unnoticed, and remain there for such an extended period, especially given that multiple searches were reportedly conducted. A particularly disturbing revelation is the apparent withholding of information regarding the existence of a fourth child, who may have been present, and the families are desperate to understand this child’s role and whereabouts. The subsequent silence from the family of the surviving child has further intensified their suspicions. The families also question why the class teacher abandoned the classroom early and delayed reporting the children missing to the police. A chilling detail that has come to light is that just one day prior to their deaths, both children came home wearing only underwear vests – a red flag that the families believe was tragically ignored and suggests they may have been identified or targeted before their untimely deaths.

Driven by their unwavering determination to secure justice for their lost children, the families are issuing a clear and unequivocal set of demands. They call for full transparency and accountability from the Sierra Leone Police, demanding an immediate disclosure of the vehicle’s whereabouts and condition. They are also demanding formal investigations into the conduct of school staff, church leaders, and any other adults who were present on the premises at the time of the incident. The families are demanding the immediate identification and protection of the fourth child, whose testimony they believe is crucial to understanding the events that transpired. They are also calling for a supervised statement from the surviving child. The families are demanding a public response from both the Ministries of Social Welfare and Education, urging them to acknowledge the tragedy and outline the steps they will take to ensure such an incident never happens again. Finally, they are calling for an independent investigation into the case, with oversight from civil society organizations, legal experts, and human rights advocates, to ensure impartiality and thoroughness.

The families have declared that the time for patience is over, and have announced their intention to pursue legal action to ensure justice for their lost children. They are demanding an independent inquiry into the case, and will initiate legal proceedings against those they hold responsible for negligence, obstruction of justice, or any actions that contributed to the harm of their children. They are prepared to escalate the matter to regional and international human rights bodies if necessary, demonstrating their resolve to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of truth and accountability.

In a heartfelt plea to the nation, the families are calling on His Excellency, Rtd. Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, the Fountain of Honour and Justice, to intervene personally and ensure that justice is upheld in this case. They are urging the government and the people of Sierra Leone to stand in solidarity with them in the face of a tragedy that has shaken them to their core. They are calling upon all civil society organizations, human rights activists, legal advocates, and experts to join their fight for answers and accountability. They are appealing to the press and media to continue shedding light on this case and to refuse to be silenced in the face of injustice. Finally, they are urging all concerned citizens, both within Sierra Leone and in the diaspora, to stand with them, to ask hard questions, and to ensure that this matter is not buried and forgotten. The families’ joint statement is a powerful and poignant call to action, demanding that the lives of these two innocent toddlers are not lost in vain.