April 12, 2007 — The body of a child found on Wednesday evening by search and rescue volunteers has been identified by the local medical examiner as that of 12-year-old Laquina K. Hennis, who has been missing since last Friday.
While the cause of death is still unknown, Government House spokesman Jean P. Greaux Jr. confirmed Thursday afternoon that Police have taken into custody 30-year-old Daniel Castillo, who has been identified as a "person of interest" in the case.
Greaux said the results of the medical examiner's report were reported to Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. around 4 p.m. by Police Commissioner James H. McCall, and added that local law enforcement officials are still continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hennis' death.
Hennis' body was found around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, as V.I. Search and Rescue volunteers worked their way through several buildings situated on Lot 16, Eighth Street in Sugar Estate. According to Rescue team leader Carl Fleming, the search team had been in the area over the past few days, responding to complaints from residents about a foul odor emanating from some of the structures (See "Unidentified Child's Body Found in Sugar Estate").
The body was subsequently found in an abandoned wooden building on Eighth Street, lying face down in a plastic tote bin. On Wednesday evening, McCall said that investigators of the Major Crimes Unit could see the hand and foot of a small-framed individual sticking out from under the sheet in which the body was wrapped.
The plastic tote containing the body was removed to the Schneider Regional morgue around 11:25 p.m. Wednesday. Local Medical Examiner Dr. Francisco Landron began a forensic examination on the body around 10 a.m. Thursday.
The examination had not been completed by 1 p.m., when McCall and Attorney General Vincent Frazer held a press conference at the hospital to give an update on the status of the investigation.
"At this point, we have one child that has been reported missing, and the unidentified body of a female. Right now, we haven't been able to put those two things together," Frazer said. Frazer added that he could not speculate on details surrounding Hennis' death — including the condition of the body — since the investigation is still ongoing.
However, McCall said that law enforcement officials will continue to "work aggressively to find the perpetrators," using all available resources and information provided over the past few days by community members.
DeJongh conveyed a similar message on Thursday afternoon, speaking during the Radio One afternoon news report.
"As governor, I will use all the power I have, all the power that the police have, to seek justice for Laquina Kadija," deJongh said. "We will find and bring to justice whoever committed this horrendous act. I call on all to assist the police. Our effort will include the marshaling all of our reserves, be it the offers of help from the retired police officers association, outside help or volunteers — whatever is needed."
DeJongh further urged community members to join together in protecting the territory's youth — a message echoed throughout the day by Frazer, McCall and Lisa Hassell-Forde, acting superintendent of schools for the St. Thomas-St. John district.
Speaking over the radio on Thursday afternoon, Hassell-Forde said that all "partners in the community have to be more involved in the lives of our children," since local "communities are no longer safe havens."
During Thursday's press conference, McCall also urged parents to be more "vigilant," keeping a constant watch on their children's whereabouts and activities.
"Carnival time is coming up, and we're urging everyone to keep a lookout. If there is a stray child out there that appears to be lost, please contact a policeman," he said.
Both McCall and Frazer also asked that anyone with information regarding Hennis' death contact the Major Crime Unit at 714-5546 or the emergency police number 911.
Another press conference relating to the status of the investigation is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, at the Chase Auditorium located on UVI's St. Thomas campus.
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