A 15-year-old Guyanese student is being charged with “maliciously” killing 19 children after she set fire to her school because her teacher took her cell phone.
Earlier this month, a fire erupted at Mahdia Secondary School in western Guyana, killing 18 female students and one 5-year-old boy.
On Monday, the 15-year-old appeared in virtual court, where she was charged with 19 counts of murder.
According to AP, The teen will appear in court again on July 5 to determine whether the trial can start since she was not permitted to enter a plea.
Authorities claim that after having her cell phone taken away, the teen set fire to the dorm restroom. If found guilty, the girl will spend her life behind bars.
According to the fire department’s statement, there were 56 female students inside the concrete and wood building at the time of the incident. It stated that five doors were locked and there were bars on the dorm’s five windows.
The day after the fire, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed at a press conference that several of the remains had been “burned beyond recognition,” and DNA samples had been transferred to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City for identification.
Twelve children were sent to hospitals with injuries, although the final number of injuries was not disclosed, per the DPI.
Due to the seriousness of her wounds, one victim was additionally transferred to the burn center at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City over the weekend.
“She underwent two surgeries, and her condition, though critical, improved steadily,” added the DPI. “This transfer was deemed necessary out of an abundance of precaution and made in the best interest of the patient.”
“I want to assure all the families, all Guyanese, that the government will fully support all these families and these children, provide all that is necessary in support of these families and children at this time,” said President Dr Irfaan Ali.
