Wednesday, November 15 2006

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Anita Anamunthodo arrives at the San Fernando Magistrates' Court yesterday to face her charges of six counts of child neglect and abandonment....

THE MOTHER of murdered four-year-old Emily Anamunthodo flashed a broad smile yesterday after a magistrate reduced her bail from $45,000 to $10,000. It was not confirmed up to late yesterday whether anyone had actually taken the woman’s bail.

Anita Anamunthodo, 18, is currently before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, charged with six counts of child neglect and child abandonment. Wellington had initially granted bail to Anamunthodo in the sum of $45,000 with the Clerk of the Peace’s approval, but relatives of the accused woman have been unable to secure the bail sum. As a result, Anamunthodo remained in prison awaiting trial on the charges which alleged that she abandoned and neglected Emily.

The child was murdered on May 15 at her Ste Madeleine Road, Marabella home. The child’s stepfather, Marlon King, 33, was two months ago committed to stand trial for the killing.

In dealing with the abandonment charge yesterday, Wellington asked Anamunthodo. “Nobody take your bail yet?” Anamuntodo replied, “No, sir.” The magistrate then reduced the bail sum to $10,000. The case was adjourned to November 24.