Man remanded for allegedly threatening baby with knife during domestic dispute

A 34-year-old construction worker has been remanded to prison after he was accused of threatening his infant child, Alicia Valles, with a knife during a domestic dispute with his common-law partner.

Ricardo Caleb of Lot 68 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of threatening behaviour. The incident reportedly occurred on May 6 at the couple’s apartment during a heated argument.

When asked to plead to the charge, Caleb told the court he didn’t understand. Magistrate McGusty then asked him if he had committed the act or not. In response, Caleb admitted there was an argument, stating, “things got out of control and started to get loud for the neighbours to hear.” He claimed that following the dispute, his partner, went to the police station, and he was later arrested without being told why.

In objecting to bail, the prosecution cited witness statements that Caleb allegedly held a knife to his child’s neck during the altercation.

According to the prosecution, this act frightened the mother, prompting her to report the matter.

Before the charge was formally laid, the magistrate had asked the woman if she wanted to proceed with the case. She initially declined.

Meanwhile, Caleb alleged that during the incident, he emerged from the house holding the baby in one hand and a knife in the other.

He said a neighbour reportedly alerted police officers on the scene, shouting, “Look, the mad man come out with a knife to the baby’s neck”, and claimed he wanted to kill the baby.

In his defence, Caleb denied ever threatening his child, claiming the incident was misinterpreted.

He told the court that after the argument, he was left in the apartment alone with the baby and was video-calling his mother to show her what was happening. When persons began knocking on the door, he said he became fearful, picked up the baby and a knife, and went outside.

“I never put no knife to the baby neck,” he insisted. Caleb said a “rasta” neighbour exaggerated the situation, and was calling him a “madman.”

He added that when he was arrested and taken to the police station, the mother was not present, and he handed the child over to his sister-in-law at the station.

Despite his explanations, Magistrate McGusty refused bail and remanded Caleb to prison until May 23.