Negligence in drowning cases could lead to jail time

Parents who are found to be negligent in the drowning incident of a child can face up to 25 years imprisonment.

This is according to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro under sections 240 and 241 of the Crimes Decree.

A directive she added is also being given to reopen files of child drowning cases by the Criminal Investigation Department, in the search of parent or guardian negligence.

Naisoro added this is also in light of the high number of drowning victims being children.

25 of the 75 drowning fatalities in 2012 were children under 10 years of age.

This year so far, the first and only drowning fatality involved a 12-year-old.


Story by: Gwen Mc Goon & William Waqavakatoga