By Breaking Belize News Staff: Fifty-seven-year-old Jennifer Evadney Fitzgibbon was committed to stand trial in the High Court for manslaughter by negligence and child abandonment following the conclusion of her Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Thursday.
Fitzgibbon is accused in connection with the October 2024 death of four-year-old King Shakel Wade. Wade drowned in the South Creek canal on October 15, 2024, shocking the community and the nation.
The PI commenced before the Chief Magistrate in Court #1 at 11:11 a.m. and concluded 21 minutes later at 11:32 a.m. At the end of the brief proceeding, the Chief Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence to commit Fitzgibbon to the April Session of the High Court, which is scheduled to begin on April 15, 2026.
During the inquiry, the prosecution, led by a police sergeant, submitted more than 22 statements from various witnesses along with documentary exhibits intended to support the case at trial. Among the exhibits accepted into evidence were a statement given to police by Fitzgibbon dated October 15, 2024, a medical certificate for the deceased child dated October 15, 2023, and an arrest warrant dated August 25, 2025. Fitzgibbon was formally charged approximately 10 months after the child’s death.
Although Fitzgibbon indicated to the court that she had retained an attorney, no attorney was present during the PI. When asked whether she had any alibi witnesses, she stated that she did, but claimed they were minors whose parents were unwilling to allow them to attend court to testify.
Police reportedly launched a formal investigation into the child’s death some 10 months after it occurred. The case file was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for review, which led to charges being brought against Fitzgibbon.
At the time of her arrest, Fitzgibbon, then 56, was a resident of Dolphin Street, Belize City. She worked as a babysitter and was the caregiver of the child at the time of his untimely death.
She is now expected to face trial when the High Court’s April session opens.
The post Granny Jennifer Fitzgibbon to stand trial for manslaughter by negligence in 4-year-old King Shakel Wade’s tragic South Creek canal drowning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Fifty-seven-year-old Jennifer Evadney Fitzgibbon was committed to stand trial in the High Court for manslaughter by negligence and child abandonment following the conclusion of her Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Thursday. Fitzgibbon is accused in connection with the October 2024 death of four-year-old King Shakel Wade. Wade drowned in the South
The post Granny Jennifer Fitzgibbon to stand trial for manslaughter by negligence in 4-year-old King Shakel Wade’s tragic South Creek canal drowning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
