Police admit releasing false info on Adrianna Younge’s probe

Apr 25, 2025 News

—claims child had left hotel, but body later surfaced in pool on premises

Kaieteur News- Amid a public backlash on its handling of the disappearance and the subsequent death of an eleven-year-old girl at a Tuschen hotel on Wednesday, police have admitted releasing inaccurate information to the public and have launched an investigation as to how it happened.

Younge disappeared while on a swimming outing at the Double Day Hotel located at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. Despite checks in the pools and the hotel, she was not found Wednesday, but her body surfaced in the pool Thursday morning. Police in an initial statement released Wednesday night said that they had reviewed footage showing the child leaving the hotel and was spirited away in a Raum, motorcar.

Police admit releasing false info on Adrianna Younge’s probe

Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Khalid Mandall

However, in a dramatic twist of events, the Guyana Police Force said certain details in the first statement were inaccurate. “The Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify information previously disseminated regarding an alleged abduction involving 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, which was reported to have occurred on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, between 13:02hrs and 14:00hrs at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Following preliminary investigations, it has been determined that certain details contained in the initial statement circulated were inaccurate. As such, the Force is currently reviewing the internal communication processes that led to the release of that statement.”

The statement added: “The Guyana Police Force assures that a comprehensive investigation will be carried out to determine every action taken by the police. The circumstances under which inaccurate information was disseminated, including what led to such information, will also be thoroughly examined. The Divisional Commander and all ranks involved in the preparation and dissemination of the initial report will be interviewed, and appropriate actions will be taken to prevent future occurrences of this nature,” the statement read.

The Guyana Police Force said it remains committed to maintaining transparency and accuracy in all public communications. “We urge members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be provided as soon as credible and verified information becomes available. The safety and well-being of our citizens, particularly our children, remain a top priority,” the statement concluded.

11-year-old Adrianna Younge

In their first statement, police had said that ranks in Regional Division #3 are investigating a report of an alleged abduction committed on Younge. According to the police, around 13:02hrs, Adrianna went to Double Day Hotel pool to swim with her grandmother, Carol Xavier, who stated that at around 13:10hrs, she gave Adrianna money to buy a band to swim in the pool. Shortly thereafter, Adrianna entered the pool with her siblings. Sometime after, the grandmother called to get her family out of the pool when it was discovered Adrianna was missing.

The family launched a search in the pool and hotel but without success. The matter was then reported at Tuschen Police Station. Upon arrival at the scene, the police searched further in and around the hotel, including rooms, a store room, the yard, and the roof, but they came up empty-handed. Several cameras were seen attached to the building. However, when asked to view them, the manager indicated that they were not in working order.

The police said that the Command Centre in Regional Division #3 was contacted, and footage showed that Adrianna entered a Red and Black Raum motorcar bearing registration number PSS 4684, which drove off in an easterly direction heading towards Vreed-en-Hoop. “Information was received about the registered owner, who, when contacted, claimed he rented the car to one Orlando (no last name provided) since last week. Checks were made for the said Orlando at an address provided by the car owner, but Orlando was not contacted. Trace of the vehicle from Georgetown Command Centre around 20:58hrs showed the vehicle is in Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara at ‘White Shop shortcut’. Police are in pursuit as the investigation continues,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, during an interview with Kaieteur News Wednesday night, Amecia Simon, the mother of the missing child, shared how she learned about her daughter’s disappearance. She explained that she received a phone call from the child’s grandmother, who said she was unable to find Younge. According to the grandmother, Younge had been in the pool and had reportedly come out. The grandmother then went to get some food, but when she returned to check on Younge, the child was nowhere to be found. A search was immediately launched, but Younge could not be located.

The mother stated that police informed her that surveillance footage showed her daughter being taken away by someone in a vehicle along the public road in front of the hotel. She said that the police had launched a search to identify the owner of the vehicle. The police later confirmed that they have obtained a photograph and other details of the suspect believed to have taken the child and assured that they are following every lead to locate the individual. “Right now, my pressure high, I cried so much like I don’t have words to say,” Simon said.

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One thought on “Police admit releasing false info on Adrianna Younge’s probe”

habeeb April 25, 2025 at 10:45 am

Police Commander Khalid Mandal, Region 3, need to be downgraded, since
without proof, he inflamed an already sensitive situation of the death of
a young child-11 years old. He was just thinking like: hey, I got this under control. I am in charge here- probably with his chest puffed up.
We seen the damage that took place, haven’t we ?

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