The results of the second autopsy on the body of seven-year-old Tee-Marie Bennett, who was reportedly washed away during heavy rains last Tuesday in Day's Mountain, St Mary, should be known today.

The autopsy was carried out yesterday in Spanish Town, St Catherine, but up to late after-noon, the police had not released the results.

The second autopsy was prompted by the results of the first, done on Monday, which seemed to contradict alleged eye-witness reports that the little girl had washed away, after falling into a culvert in the district after heavy rains.

The first autopsy, done Mon-day, suggested the little girl was raped and strangled.

Her body was discovered three days after it disappeared, over a mile away in Oracabessa, in the parish.

After the result of Monday's autopsy, the child's grandmother, who reportedly sent her to a shop to purchase items, and a man, who claimed to have witnessed her being washed away, were again interviewed by the police, after initial interviews last week.

Child neglect charges

There is also the possibility of charges of child neglect being levelled against the parents or guardian(s) of the deceased, under the Child Care and Protection Act.

In the past, parents have been charged after leaving their children at home unattended or unprotected for an extended period of time.

In the meantime, contrary to initial reports that the child was sent to the shop on her own by her grandmother, the police revealed Tuesday that both the grandmother and the child had planned to go to the shop.

However, while the grandmother was said to be putting on her shoes the child reportedly left on her own. After she disappeared, a search was launched for her but it was not until Friday that her body was found.