Amidst an outpouring of emotions, the student from Runaway Bay All Age School whose mutilated body was discovered on Monday, November 15 after he went missing was laid to rest in a family plot in Bounty Hall, Trelawny on Saturday, December 19.
Six-year-old Daniel Anderson, a grade one student of Belle Aire, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, was buried after a funeral service at the Apostolic Ark Pentecostal Church in Belle Aire, Runaway Bay, St. Ann.
In a funeral service steeped in rich accolades and moments of openly expressed grief, Daniel was remembered as a loving, kind, intelligent, ‘street-smart’ and God fearing young boy who was able touch the many persons he interacted with in his short life.
“Daniel always had a bright smile on his face… It pains my heart that he will never achieve his dreams, but I know that one day I’ll see my nephew again,” one of Daniel’s aunts said as she broke down in tears while giving a tribute.
There was touching moments too when Daniel’s great-grandmother, Gwendolyn Smith, delivered a song through tears, which had other family members wailing. The funeral service proved too much for Daniel’s father, Devon Anderson who was outside the church for the proceedings.
Principal of Runaway Bay All Age School, Lambert Pearson, stated in his tribute that Daniel was a kind boy, who looked out for his peers. “Grief for a child is the hardest to bear… But when a child dies, we not only lose the child but the dreams that will never be accomplished… Daniel was very intelligent and ‘street-smart’. He will never accomplish his dreams, because a heartless person robbed him of his chance,” he explained. His tribute was followed by students of the Runaway Bay All Age who gave a fitting tribute in song as they delivered a heartfelt rendition of ‘Dear Mr Jesus.’
Pastor Doreen Dixon, who was one of the persons officiating, explained to those present that nobody knows when death will strike. She noted that Daniel saw the need to be baptized at such a young age and was given the chance to at the Apostolic Ark. She said what Daniel did must serve as an example to others to make sure “their election to heaven is sure.”
Tributes also came from Dayton Campbell, member of parliament for North West St. Ann, who reminded persons in attendance that “it takes a village to raise a child” and encouraged persons to play a part in taking care of their children. Othneil Lawrence, caretaker for the constituency, expressed his condolences to the family and congratulated the police on their work in arresting someone for the death of young Daniel.
The police have since arrested and charged twenty-four-year-old Vinnel Brown of Mount Edgecombe, Runaway Bay, St. Ann in connection with the murder of Daniel Anderson. He was remanded in custody when he appeared in the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate Court on Thursday, December 3. He is expected to return to court on January 14, 2016 next year.
