Update: Phillip Paulwell's longtime partner among 4 in custody over MP's missing daughter
Key Points(5)
- A United States Navy officer reported to be a longtime partner of Phillip Paulwell is among four people currently in police custody in relation to the kidnapping of the Member of Parliament's 10-month-old daughter Sarayah Paulwell and her mother, 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson.
- "This investigation has morphed into a very complex case of kidnapping and conspiracy," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fitz Bailey, who gave an update on the case on Friday.
- Bailey said the “quality and potency" of the evidence that the police have gathered so far have led them to take into custody four people including Leoda Bradshaw, a 34-year-old female petty officer in the U.S.
- Bradshaw is allegedly a longtime partner of Paulwell and the mother of his eight-year-old daughter.
- When the mother and daughter pair were first reported missing, rumors circulated on social media that Bradshaw was somehow involved in their disappearance — allegations that she denied via a statement on her Facebook page.
A United States Navy officer reported to be a longtime partner of Phillip Paulwell is among four people currently in police custody in relation to the kidnapping of the Member of Parliament's 10-month-old daughter Sarayah Paulwell and her mother, 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson.
"This investigation has morphed into a very complex case of kidnapping and conspiracy," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fitz Bailey, who gave an update on the case on Friday.
Bailey said the “quality and potency" of the evidence that the police have gathered so far have led them to take into custody four people including Leoda Bradshaw, a 34-year-old female petty officer in the U.S. Navy.
Bradshaw is allegedly a longtime partner of Paulwell and the mother of his eight-year-old daughter.
When the mother and daughter pair were first reported missing, rumors circulated on social media that Bradshaw was somehow involved in their disappearance — allegations that she denied via a statement on her Facebook page.
"The only interaction I have ever had with Ms Patterson is through a brief Facebook exchange," said Bradshaw in the statement.
"I have never spoken to her by phone nor have I made any arrangements to meet with her. Any such reports in social media are lies and will be passed on to my lawyer for action to be taken in the days ahead."
Bailey said the "misinformation" on social media played a part in the police's decision to update the public and name one of the four suspects.
"As I said, there's a lot of misinformation that is swirling in the public and we think, in particular, with Ms. Bardshaw, we have evidence that we could advance a case at this time," he said.
Bailey said the suspects could face charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to murder, among other charges.
“The evidence that we have is very strong and can stand up to any scrutiny in the court of law. ... I am convinced that we are on the right track,” Bailey said, adding that the investigation “… is still ongoing, however, it is at an advanced stage.”
Read more on this case:
- Jamaican MP Phillip Paulwell’s daughter and her mother have seemingly been abducted
- Police making progress in case of Phillip Paulwell’s missing daughter and her mother
- Suspect held in case of Phillip Paulwell’s missing daughter and her mother
On September 9, Paulwell's 10-month-old daughter Sarayah and her mother were reported missing.
The two were seemingly abducted from their home at Gilmore Drive, Kingston 20, on the morning of September 9 and have not been seen or heard from since.
Bailey described the situation as “unfortunate” and said the police are determined to provide closure to the family.
“The officers are committed to ensuring that family members get closure to what I consider to be a very unfortunate situation, one that really forces any individual with a conscience to cringe,” he said.
