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.
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