It’s been over a month since 11-year-old Adriana Younge’s death shook a West Coast Demerara community, and the senior police officer at the center of the controversy, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall, remains off the job.
His continued absence comes amid an ongoing investigation and troubling allegations that he misled the grieving family at the crime scene.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed on Friday evening that Mandall, the former commander of Regional Division #3, has not yet resumed duty. “Yes… he is still on Administrative Leave,” said Mark Ramotar, Head of the Force’s Corporate Communications Unit, in response to questions from the media.
Mandall was sent on leave on April 26 as part of the Force’s Standard Operating Procedures, triggered by mounting scrutiny over his handling of the initial stages of the Younge case. According to reports, Mandall allegedly misled the grieving family at the crime scene, prompting outrage and raising serious questions about transparency and protocol.
These allegations ultimately led to his removal from the post and the installation of Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine in his place.The incident left an already devastated family grappling not only with the loss of a child but with a sense of betrayal from those entrusted to seek justice on their behalf.
“We were told things that just weren’t true,” a relative of the young girl told reporters shortly after the tragedy. “We want justice for Adriana, and we want to know the truth.”The Force’s latest update came just hours after a public relations boost: a statement praising the investigative work of the GPF from retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigator Leonard McCoshen. Described as a respected figure in international law enforcement, McCoshen lauded the police’s efforts in the case as “exceptional” and “exemplary.”
His commendation, however, stood in stark contrast to the skepticism expressed by some members of the public still grappling with the alleged initial missteps.With the autopsy results now in police hands, authorities insist the investigation remains very much active.
The GPF has not provided a timeline for its conclusion, but stated that efforts are ongoing to bring the matter to a full and transparent resolution.For the family of Adriana Younge, closure remains elusive. Their hope lies in a thorough, honest investigation, one that not only uncovers what happened to their daughter but also holds all responsible parties accountable, regardless of rank.
