-former partner is prime suspect

A 29-year-old mother of one says years of abuse, threats and attacks by a former partner have left her living in fear that the violence could eventually cost her life.

The latest incident occurred at about 3:43 a.m. on Sunday, when an unfinished home being built for the mother and child at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, was set on fire.

A source told Kiskadee Watch that the latest incident is suspected to be connected to the mother’s former partner, a 39-year-old major state contractor who is currently out of the country.

Efforts by Kiskadee Watch to contact the man for a response to the allegations were unsuccessful.

The source said the latest fire has heightened fears that the situation is escalating beyond attacks on property.

“Whenever he do this thing, he leave the country. He don’t be here. He’s an American,” the source said.

The source said there is now fear that the attacks could eventually be directed at the mother herself.

The Schoonord fire is being described as the fifth  arson attack involving the mother or members of the immediate family.

On August 24 and 28, 2025, separate fires targeted the Middle Road, La Penitence home of the mother’s 78-year-old grandmother, where the mother’s disabled mother also lives.

The source said fires were set at the entrance gate on both occasions, creating fears that occupants could have been trapped inside.

Reports were subsequently made at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

Minibus

The source said another incident occurred in August 2025 when a minibus belonging to a brother-in-law was completely destroyed by fire at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

Later that same night, after family members returned home from checking on the burnt vehicle, another vehicle used by the family was set on fire outside the residence.

The source said the family managed to extinguish that fire before the vehicle was completely destroyed.

The  attacks form part of what the source described as a much longer pattern of physical, verbal and psychological abuse during and after a six-year relationship.

The source said multiple reports were made to police, senior law enforcement officials and child protection authorities.

The source confirmed that reports were made to the police and said there is still an expectation of meaningful intervention.

The source also said a court-issued restraining order was obtained in March 2026 but alleged that the order has been breached repeatedly without effective intervention.

The source further alleged that the former partner’s wealth, status as a major contractor and political connections have made it difficult to obtain protection.

Concerns were also raised about alleged connections to government officials.

Determine

The source said assistance was sought from several influential persons, including Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who reportedly indicated that time was needed to determine how the matter could be addressed and that efforts were being made to assist.

The source also raised concerns about the response of officials responsible for domestic violence and child protection.

The Opposition Leader’s statement questioned the response of Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, asking how many more women must report threats, endure abuse and live in fear before meaningful action is taken.

The source also alleged a series of surveillance and intimidation tactics. According to the source, mechanics discovered hidden microphones and GPS tracking devices spliced into the dashboard wiring of a Toyota Tacoma.

The source said the surveillance equipment was connected to secondary batteries, allowing the devices to continue operating even when the vehicle was switched off.

The source further alleged that pen-style recording devices were planted inside the home. There are also allegations that private WhatsApp messages, phone records and SIM-card information were accessed through contacts at local telecommunications providers, and that fake TikTok, Instagram and Facebook accounts were created using the mother’s name.

In another  incident, the source said the former partner entered the kitchen, picked up a meat cleaver and damaged the truck, smashing the windshield and side mirrors.

The source also alleged that a physical assault occurred on a bed while the infant child was present.

In another frightening incident, the source said remote vehicle kill-switches were activated while driving at night, leaving the mother stranded on public roads.

The source further alleged that the former partner repeatedly took the child without consent for weeks at a time, including taking the child across international borders to Suriname, Brazil and the United States.

The source said assistance was sought from the Child Care and Protection Agency, immigration authorities and police, but the complaints did not result in the protection being sought.

Equal rights

According to the source, an officer repeatedly stated that both parents had equal rights and required arrangements to accommodate the child’s father.

The source also alleged that during an intervention at the Child Care and Protection office, $300,000 had to be paid to replace vehicle tracking wires that had been removed before the child could be retrieved.

The source said direct reports were also made to senior commanders within the Guyana Police Force and other high-ranking officials.

Despite those reports and the restraining order, the source said fear remains that another attack could occur.

The situation has now prompted calls for an independent investigation into how the complaints were handled.

Opposition figures, including Shadow Minister for Human Services Natasha Singh, are calling for an investigation into the conduct of Division 4A police officers and the Child Care and Protection Agency.

Questions are also being raised about the responsibility of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security particularly in relation to allegations that persons with significant business and political connections can evade accountability while victims of domestic abuse struggle to obtain protection.