- Infant girl beheaded, mom flees killer
- Nation in shock as girl, 4, decapitated by stepfather
The brutal murder and dismemberment of four-year-old Amarah Lallite on Monday night shattered the already wounded nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
The four-year-old, who was killed by a man who had been her father for virtually her entire life, received an outpouring of prayers immediately.
After identifying Amarah’s body yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St. James, her mother, Tricia Villaruel, cried up and whispered, “I never thought he would have done that.” The man loved Amarah.”
She said, “He would have killed for her; he always protected her. He never beat her.”
While her mother filed a domestic disturbance report at the Arouca Police Station, her stepfather is thought to have slain Little Amarah between 10 p.m. and midnight yesterday at her Fifth Street, Five Rivers, Arouca, residence.
In tears at the FSC yesterday, Villaruel said, “My daughter Amarah was a loving, loving, loving child.”
“She was the light of the room,” she said, staring blankly before pain forced her to close her eyes. Everyone adored this child. Everybody…”
Villaruel shook her head, saying, “I can say nothing bad about her,” as her eldest daughter stood beside her. Why he would want to hurt the child is beyond me. She was adorable. She was everyone’s favourite.”
Villaruel, 41, and the 39-year-old suspect were common-law partners throughout Amarah’s life.
When asked if the suspect had ever been violent or what caused the homicide, the bereaved wife said, “No, he never showed any indication of being schizo. Do I want to mention, but he was acting like a different person and talking to me that night like multiple personalities?”
She said the suspect had never shown her this side.
I never saw him do that. I was startled when I learned he killed her because he was seldom angry or violent.”
She shockingly admitted to leaving the toddler in the house to call the police because she thought the suspect might hurt her.
I was at the station reporting. After I left, she was on the bed watching her iPad. However, he tried to drag me inside the room since he appeared dangerous. She didn’t answer my call. She was giggling like we were playing, so I had no choice.”
Villaruel regretted leaving her residence to find help, saying she expected the police to react sooner.
Fifth Street is 400 metres from the Arouca Police Station in Five Rivers Junction, walking distance from the property.
Guardian Media said that the guy started acting and speaking strangely.
According to authorities, Amarah’s mother reported domestic abuse and begged for help at the Arouca authorities Station at 10.10 p.m.
Officers found Villaruel’s home locked and dark. The man emerged bare-backed and wearing three-quarter trousers after the authorities repeatedly called his name.
The cops ordered the mother to examine the child’s welfare. She screamed excessively when she found Amarah’s decapitated body in the house.
A female cop ran into the residence and saw Amarah mutilated.
An investigation found that the girl was killed in one bedroom, dragged into another, and her head was buried in a barrel in the backyard.
After learning of the horrific act, witnesses were shocked to see the suspect calm and bloodless.
The suspect was arrested and questioned at the police station, while the North Central Division Task Force stood watch at the residence until forensic officers arrived yesterday morning.
Richard Smith, Snr. Supt. of the North Central Division, urged the public to get help for relationship issues in a voice note about the killing.
“Do not use violence to resolve domestic issues. Smith advised seeking professional treatment at the first hint of abuse.
Please do not exploit your innocent children to settle scores. This example shows how domestic abuse can kill an innocent child.”
Villaruel and other responding family, friends, and police officers have received counselling, according to Guardian Media.
