Police remove three children after reported shooting found false

Police removed three children from a residence on Tuesday 3 November after officers investigating a reported shooting found conditions the Police Force of Sint Maarten, KPSM, described as deplorable. KPSM said the children were handed to the Court of Guardianship because of concerns for their safety and well-being.

An elderly woman went to the police station around midday after her granddaughter told her that the children’s mother had been shot, KPSM said. Detectives and uniformed officers went to the residence after attempts to contact the woman were unsuccessful.

KPSM said its investigation found that no shooting had taken place and that the story had apparently been intended to frighten the grandmother. The mother, identified as S.O., 31, went to the police station at about 8:05pm AST demanding the return of her children.

Police said S.O. was wanted in a separate investigation into alleged property destruction and ill-treatment of her former boyfriend, which KPSM said occurred on Monday 2 November. She was arrested in that case and remained in custody pending further investigation, according to KPSM.