Vendredi 11 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp went to the Haitian National Police in Saint Marc, Haiti and reported an incident of abuse supported with photo and video.
The Chief of the Police instructed the Brigade De Protection Des Mineurs (BPM) to take Ayiti Now Corp to the house of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser)(Impasse Joseph #2, Saint Marc).
The Brigade De Protection Des Mineurs (BPM) and Ayiti Now Corp had a conversation outside the house of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) with an unidentified family member (but known by the police officers) of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) on the circumstances regarding the abuse and the limitations of the government to intervene due to the lack of government’s financial resources and lack of institutions able to assist the victims.
Brigade De Protection Des Mineurs (BPM) and Ayiti Now Corp went back to the Haitian National Police station without the child victim nor the Marie Maude Joseph (abuser).
The chief of the police called the magistrate and requested to escort BPM and Ayiti Now Corp to the house of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser). The magistrate, Brigade De Protection Des Mineurs (BPM) and Ayiti Now Corp went back at the house of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) and took the child victim to the tribunal (Parquet De Saint Marc).
The magistrate asked to Ayiti Now Corp for 2000 HTG. Kindly accepted 1750 HTG.
Ayiti Now Corp waited to see the Government Commissioner (Me Lumeran Dieunel) and waited the arrival of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser).
Upon the arrival of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser), the Government Commissioner asked to see the child victim's back and asked to see the back of the biological son of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser). The Government Commissioner interrogated the child victim seating next to Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) which deposition indicated Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) the responsible party for the scars and wounds. The Government Commissioner interrogated Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) which deposition self incriminated herself by confirming the abuse.
The Government Commissioner arrested Marie Maude Joseph (abuser). During the hearing no relevant information transpired about the child victim's biological parents. Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) failed to share any information regarding the child victim’s biological parents. Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) was taken to the internal jail at the tribunal (Parquet De Saint Marc).
The Government Commissioner indicated that Haitian law prevented the release of the child victim to Ayiti Now Corp. Ayiti Now Corp waited to understand where was the child victim to be taken.
Marie Maude Joseph’s (abuser) family suggested a deal whereas Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) would promise to get the child victim’s biological parents if Ayiti Now Corp would agree Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) to be released. Ayiti Now Corp declined and demanded information to identify and reach the child victim’s biological parents.
The family of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) returned to the tribunal (Parquet De Saint Marc) with a relative identified as a lawyer. Ayiti Now Corp asked the Government Commissioner to demand the information from Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) concerning the parents of the child victim. Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) indicated that the child victim’s biological parents information were not available. The child victim was released to a family member of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) (identified as Mr. Bob). The judge demanded to Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) to get the parents to court.
The Government Commissioner informed Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) that Haitian law could impose up to 2 years of prison and 3000 HTG of penalty however she would be released. Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) was released immediately.
Ayiti Now Corp followed the child victim to Mr. Bob residence and verified the child victim whereabouts.
Samedi 12 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Dimanche 13 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Lundi 14 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained. Ayiti Now Corp reported to the Government Commissioner lack of cooperation by Marie Maude Joseph (abuser).
Mardi 15 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Mercredi 16 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Jeudi 17 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp returned to the Haitian National Police and updated the chief of police. Was discussed the option to use the local Saint Marc radio to communicate our intention to reach the child victim’s biological parents.
Ayiti Now Corp went to the local Saint Marc radio and communicated live the case of abuse and shared the name of the child victim and the name of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) asking to the community to assist in reaching the child biological parents.
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Ayiti Now Corp informed the Government Commissioner of the radio transmission and the lack of cooperation of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser).
Vendredi 18 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp requested to the Government Commissioner to convocate Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) and Mr. Bob to provide information concerning the child victim’s biological parents.
Ayiti Now Corp and the court official delivered the subpoena to the residences of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) and Mr. Bob.
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Samedi 19 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. No new information obtained.
Dimanche 20 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp visited Mr. Bob house to verify the child victim whereabouts. Asked updates regarding the child victim’s parents whereabouts. The father of the child victim arrived shortly after at the house of Mr. Bob.
The child victim father requested the reason why Ayiti Now Corp was looking for him. Ayiti Now Corp explained the circumstances of the abuse and asked the father to view the child victim’s scars and wounds.
The father seemed emotionally moved however proceeded to justify Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) and blamed the child victim.
Ayiti Now Corp indicated that regardless of our subjective opinions the extent of the abuse amounted to a crime punishable by the Haitian penal code.
Ayiti Now Corp reminded to all parties to convene the following day in court at 10 am. (Parquet De Saint Marc)
Lundi 21 Juillet 2014
Ayiti Now Corp, Mr. Bob, the child victim, the child victim’s father convene at the Government Commissioner chamber at 10 am.
The Government Commissioner explained to the father the circumstances leading up to this hearing including Ayiti Now Corp consideration to financially support the child victim in an orphanage.
The child victim father, Mr. K. F., categorically declined the option of an orphanage.
Ayiti Now Corp asked the Government Commissioner to verify the identity of the child victim’s father. Mr. K. F. provided an Haitian ID card.
The child victim testified favorably to the veracity of Mr. K. F. as the father.
Mr. K. F. testified in support of Marie Maude Joseph and justified the abuse. Mr. K. F. indicated that the child victim was not placed in domesticity.
Ayiti Now Corp requested to the Government Commissioner to prohibit the return of the child at the house of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) and any other relatives of Marie Maude Joseph (abuser).
Ayiti Now Corp indicated the intention to start a dialogue with Mr. K. F. and identify ways to financially support the child victim.
Ayiti Now Corp requested what would be the sentence for Marie Maude Joseph (abuser). The Government Commissioner indicated that Marie Maude Joseph (abuser) would be under surveillance by the justice department.
Ayiti Now Corp read Art. 4 and Art. 5 of the Universal Declaration of human Rights:
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The Government Commissioner proceeded to question Ayiti Now Corp work in Haiti and specifically who and where are the recipients Ayiti Now Corp assists, including if Ayiti Now Corp assists recipients in rural areas.
Ayiti Now Corp indicated the nature of the assistance, a textbook bank, and the only location of the recipients as the students of a local school in Saint Marc, AEMSA.
The Government Commissioner made a photocopy of Alex Lizzappi’s driver license.
Ayiti Now Corp indicated the necessity to similarly intervene on behalf of all the restavek students at Aemsa which has a student population of 160 of which 50 known to be under serious abuse.
The Government Commissioner hearing was terminated.