‘J’ may not be home for Christmas

By: Victor Anthony V. Silva December 19,2014 - 09:33 AM

Like any teenager, 16-year old “J” wants to be home  for Christmas but she’s stuck in Cebu.

The prosecutor handling the estafa complaint filed against the minor from  Southern Leyte  for non-payment of over P2,000 in salon bills and P15,000  in room charges of a resort, is still reviewing her case.

“First of all, we have no order from the fiscal as far as  bail is concerned. Second, she has to go through psychosocial processes with the DSWD,” said Rose Jao, assistant officer-in-charge of the Cebu Provincial Social Welfare Office.

The minor   is supposed to undergo a government “diversion” program while her case is pending.

After spending the weekend atan disclosed shelter in Metro Cebu, she was moved to another shelter on Wednesday.

“Processes are supposed to be followed to make her realize that what she has done was not  appropriate,” said Jao. Jao said this process would require  J to remain in Cebu until Christmas or even longer.

“We didn’t assure her that she could go home for  Christmas because we didn’t want to give her false hopes,” said Jao.

Two child psychologists  examined  the teenager this week but  results cannot be divulged due to confidentiality rules under the law.

Jao said “J” was “always crying” and  “sad”  but  cheered up after an aunt from Cebu and her 18-year-old sister  visited her last Wednesday, her first visitors since confinement.

Her father  in Tacloban City sent word to the social welfare office  granting them authority to “take care” of  his daughter.

Jao said  the father did not express any plan to visit J  in Cebu. Whereabouts of the  girl’s mother remain  unclear.

“What is important for now is that “J” is  “taken care of and is provided with everything she needs,” said Jao.

 

Related Stories

Leyte girl fails to pay resort bill in Asturias

‘Beautiful Girl Charged’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

TAGS: Cebu, Christmas, shoplifting, teenage

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.