A 26-year-old man is in police custody as investigators continue enquiries into the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Cabrera-Layne, whose body was found in a forested area in Erin on Sunday morning, hours after she was reported missing.
Mercedes, of Los Iros, Erin, was reported missing at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday by her grandfather, after she failed to arrive home.
According to police, the child had spent Friday night at her grandfather’s home at Lorensotte North Trace, Rancho Quemado. Around 11.30 a.m. on Saturday, he placed her in a vehicle that was supposed to take her to her home along Los Iros Beach Road, Erin.
However, information later received indicated that Mercedes never reached her destination.
Concerned relatives subsequently contacted police, and the girl’s mother and grandfather went to the Erin Police Station, where a missing person report was made. Investigators immediately launched a search and began extensive enquiries.
Police said officers, led by Sgt Jaglal, worked throughout the night following several leads. After reviewing CCTV footage and acting on information received, investigators identified the vehicle in which Mercedes was last seen travelling.
At approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, officers located the vehicle abandoned along Beach Road, Palo Seco. The vehicle was photographed, processed and taken to the Erin Police Station as part of the investigation.
The search ended tragically several hours later.
At about 6.43 a.m., an employee of an oil company was conducting an inspection of a well along Carapal Road, Erin, when he discovered the body of a young female lying face down along an access road.
The discovery was immediately reported to police, and responding officers later confirmed that the body was that of the missing child.
Senior officers, homicide investigators and crime scene personnel responded to the area and launched extensive forensic and investigative enquiries.
As the investigation progressed, officers detained a 26-year-old man from Palo Seco in connection with the case. He remained in police custody up to Sunday evening as investigations continued.
Mercedes was a pupil of St Francis Erin RC Primary School, and news of her death has sent shockwaves through the south-west peninsula, where residents had been hoping for her safe return.
In a statement, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service extended condolences to the child’s family.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mercedez Layne during this extremely difficult time,” the statement said.
Police have not yet disclosed the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
