The autopsy on nine-month-old Salileen Ramsaroop, who died after she was force-fed the deadly insecticide Malathion by a close female relative on Thursday, was not performed yesterday.
Instead, it is expected to be conducted later in the week as the family moves to resolve unexpected issues relating to the registration of her birth.
Ramsaroop’s body was handed over to officials at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday, where it will remain until the post-mortem is conducted.
In an interview yesterday, Ramsaroop’s grandmother Sharmela Deonarine confirmed the relative held in connection with the child’s death remained in police custody.
While no charges were laid up to last night, senior police officials said it is a possibility this could be done over the weekend.
Malathion is a man-made organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used to control mosquitoes and a variety of insects that attack fruits, vegetables, landscaping plants and shrubs.
Deonarine, who admitted to an overwhelming love for the child, described her as a, “jolly baby who loved love-ups, especially when you played with her chin and hands.”
Mourning the loss as she kept company with other relatives, she too questioned what had prompted the suspect to poison the baby.
About the suspect, Ramsaroop added, “She really loved that baby. She told me she would have done anything for the baby, so I don’t know what came over her.”
Although the suspect was in custody, Ramsaroop appealed to the authorities to provide counselling, as she added, “I really want to get some type of help for her.”
Asked if the woman had been suffering with mental health issues, Ramsaroop said if this was the case she was not aware.
Accepting that postpartum depression was very real and that many persons were not even aware of experiencing it, Ramsaroop said the entire situation was very trying for her.
Recalling Salileen’s personality at just nine months, she said, “That baby was real, real nice.”
