Kezia Young, the mother of an 8-year-old little girl who we have reported about previously, her name is Jenica Jenkins. She took to Facebook to share her experience and thoughts on this whole situation.
In an emotional Facebook video, Kezia Young, mother of 8-year-old Jenica Jenkins, expressed her outrage over the tragic death of a 6-year-old autistic boy from Stella Maris school. Yesterday, News 5 tracked little Gabriel’s steps as he was seen running down Belize City’s busy street alone.
In her video, Young criticised not only the police but the entire community for failing to intervene when the boy was clearly in distress.
She said that despite the presence of many people—including cyclists, drivers, and people walking—not a single adult stepped in to guide the child.
“As a society, blame unu self as a society—as a community— as a country, we failed that family, we failed that child,” Young said. “So much people mih dih out deh, and watch this this lee bwai dih run middle street. If unu mih even care as a society, unu mih wa realise that he was in a Stella Maris uniform.” A school dedicated for “differently abled kids,” she added.
She also lambasted the police for their lack of action when an off-duty police officer reportedly called 911 to report that Gabriel was seen alone in the streets.”
Speaking from her own experience as a mother of young Jenica, who was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and is also autistic, she said, “He might have been scared, more than anything; he might have been scared dih run dih street ina traffic by himself, and no one single adult stopped their care, no wah cyclist park pan dih side, nobody even try address the situation and simply take the little boy back to school.”
She pointed out the sad reality that she says has become a norm over time, seeing children walk the streets alone or walking to school alone. “Unu so comfortable sending kids to school by themselves, so comfortable allowing kids to go to the store by themselves,” she said.
On Thursday, February 6, all Belizeans are invited to come together to honour the memory of 6-year-old Gabriel Orellano by participating in the “Wear Blue for Gabriel” movement.
The campaign calls for wearing blue, sharing photos with the hashtag #BlueforGabriel, and advocating for stronger school safety measures and autism awareness following the tragic drowning of young Gabriel on Monday.
Garbiel, who was an autistic and mute student from Stella Maris in Belize City, managed to leave the campus unnoticed on Monday afternoon.
He wandered toward the seaside, where he tragically drowned. Gabriel’s father, Vidal Orellano, criticised the school’s handling of the situation, stating, “All of them, they shut up and stay quiet,” when he sought answers. Vidal also questioned the lack of security and how his son was able to leave the school grounds unnoticed.
Reports suggest that Gabriel’s body was discovered less than 30 minutes after an off-duty police officer noticed him alone on Wilson Street and contacted authorities.
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) says it stands in solidarity with Stella Maris School. The union issued a press release that starts off by extending deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of 6-year-old Gabriel Pablo Orellana, the young student who drowned on Monday off the coast of Belize City.
“We are certain that this is a tremendous blow to the institution and ask the public to join with us in lifting them up during this most difficult time.”
While the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are still being investigated, the BNTU stands firmly with the teachers of Stella Maris School and assures them of our unwavering support. “We will do all that is within our power to assist in ensuring they receive the counselling that is so vital for each of them to begin the recovery process.”
The B.N.T.U. says that this incident does not define Stella Maris School. “It has, for many years, provided stellar educational services to one of our most vulnerable Belizean populations and will continue to do so, despite the dark cloud which now hangs over it.”
Gabriel’s father, Vidal Orellano, was preparing to go to sea for work when he was informed of the incident. Expecting a minor injury, he was devastated to learn that his son had drowned. Describing Gabriel as playful and full of life, Orellano questioned how no one intervened when they saw a young child walking alone.
Gabriel attended the only school in Belize for children with special needs, raising concerns about how he was able to leave unnoticed. The school has remained silent as the investigation continues, but Orellano is scheduled to meet with officials today for an update.
Tracy Panton wants to hold mediation with Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Her legal team, Arnold & Co., is urging mediation in the ongoing leadership dispute within the United Democratic Party (UDP). The firm proposed two potential mediators—Deborah Swift and Consuelo Godfrey—suggesting this path could prevent further costly litigation.
In a letter, the firm stated, “We believe that mediation would be beneficial to the parties and alleviate the need for any further protracted litigation with costs attendant to same.” It added, “We had filed a Notice of Selection of Mediator in which we identified either Deborah Swift or Consuelo Godfrey as possible mediators from the list of court-connected mediators. Perhaps you may wish to consider them or suggest a mediator(s) for our consideration.”
This follows Panton’s faction attempting to take over the UDP’s headquarters in October 2024. In November 2024, the court ruled in favour of Barrow’s team, restoring headquarters control. As a trial scheduled for March 31, 2025, looms, both sides are considering mediation.
This request comes as an announcement of this year’s election date is expected.
Last night, we shared the heartbreaking news of a six-year-old autistic boy from Stella Maris School whose death has deeply affected the community. Initial reports indicate that Gabriel Orellano left the school compound unnoticed just before noon. His lifeless body was discovered shortly after 1 p.m. near the Tropic Air hangar along the Belize City coast, and it appears he drowned. So, how did Gabriel go from being at school to losing his life at the hangar? Today, his uncle, a former Coast Guard Officer, teamed up with News Five to find answers. With the help of local businesses, they obtained surveillance footage that traces Gabriel’s path to the hangar. These videos provide crucial answers for the family as they try to come to terms with their loss. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
News Five has obtained surveillance footage tracing the final steps of six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, an autistic student, before he was tragically found lifeless near the municipal airport hangar. Gabriel wandered off from the Stella Maris School compound just before noon. News Five, along with Gabriel’s uncle, visited several places to gather surveillance footage and piece together his last hour. Our first stop was Chon Sann on Kelly Street, where a camera captured Gabriel running past the restaurant at 12:46 p.m., wearing his green and khaki uniform. Moments later, another camera at the back of Korea Electronics caught him darting across an intersection, narrowly avoiding a motorcycle.
Further footage from Moe’s Pizza on Barrack Road showed a man on a bicycle trying to grab Gabriel, but he managed to slip away and continued running towards Princess Margaret Drive. The man on the bicycle, seemingly concerned, turned around but didn’t pursue further. Gabriel kept running towards Digi Park, where a camera from Ochuna Restaurant captured him still on the move, now with a woman on a bicycle trailing behind him. Just minutes later, Midtown’s surveillance footage along the same road showed Gabriel heading in the same direction at 1 p.m. Sadly, his lifeless body was found by the seaside shortly after. Initial investigations suggest he entered the sea and likely drowned. Tonight, Gabriel’s family is left with more questions than answers, especially wondering how he managed to leave the secured school compound undetected. We spoke with his father off camera.
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
Voice of: Vidal Orellano, Father of Deceased
“I dah mih wah fisherman and I was waiting to go to sea. My brother is the one that came to me and told me something happened ot my son and we have to go now. Buit I didn’t expect that to happen. I think maybe ih mussy get hurt or have a broke hand or something. We went to the school and nobody wanted to give us answer, we the ask weh part my baby deh. Nobody answer, the principal nuh answer. All they told us was that the baby deh dah Tropic Air, hangar. When I reach deh I see my mom, teacher police, everybody the deh. When I get close I see my baby on the ground. Ih mih hard, because that was my only son. Everywhere he go with me.”
Paul Lopez
“I see you post a video of him playing, was he playful and jovial?”
Gabriel Orellano
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“He go with me everywhere, shop, town, no matter what nobody mih seh bout ah, ih like give trouble, nuh sit down, ih nuh matter, I carry ah with mih.”
News Five understands that after exiting the Stella Maris School compound, the child was seen inside Pallotti High School’s compound located just across the street. Screenshots of a text message conversation between two students at the high school revealed that while on the campus Orellano bit one of the students, before he was taken down to the lobby and locked him in so that he did not run away. The account says that he began to cry but the students left him there because they didn’t want him to run away. An adult reportedly intervened and instructed the students to let him out. He then ran away. The student that Orellano bit pursued him.
According to the conversation, “he was all the way by A&R at this time”. According to the conversation, when the students asked the security guard where the child went, the guard told the students, “The little boy is not his problem”. A classroom group chat from Pallotti Highschool reveals a similar storyline. One student said, “I saw a little boy in the lobby when I was at school”. Another student wrote, “He was from Stella. He could not talk. We were trying to talk to him be he didn’t respond n he started to cry, and we were instructed to let him go.” A third student wrote, “Sigh they should have made him wait”. A teacher in the group instructed the students to calm down and let the investigation do its work. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
From the surveillance footage, we saw that several people tried to help six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, but he managed to slip away from each one, likely because he didn’t recognize them. When we spoke with Gabriel’s father, Vidal Orellano, he shared that the family is still looking for answers from the school. He believes the institution failed his son.
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
Voice of: Vidal Orellano, Father of Deceased
“Nothing, we nuh get no answers. They nuh tell me nothing about what happen. I still have a lot of questions. I want to know why the gate was opened, why nobody was at the gate watching the gate. Usually somebody is always at the gate. I want to know why they didn’t call the moment they notice my son gone missing, why they didn’t call, my mom, the family. We could have gone to help search and my son would have still been here. But deh wah wait until they find my son passed away and then they called me.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it your understanding that they knew your son was missing for a long period before?”
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“Dah suh I feel, dah suh I know, because what people is saying is that he was already missing about two hours ago. Why deh never call.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you know how he got out of the school?”
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“I am hearing he came out from the gate. The gate was wide open and he came out. That is all I know.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you know if that is common practice to have the gate at the school open?”
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“No, the gate usually closes, because they usually don’t even let me in. At the gate the take my son, let me sign a book and the school warden take him to his class. They don’t even make I go in.”
Paul Lopez
“When you take your kid to a school, you entrust your kid to an institution. Do you believe the school has failed your child?”
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“Very much, because he lost his life and I don’t have him no more.”
We also spoke with Christy Almeida, the Co-Founder of Autism Belize. She shared her perspective on the tragic events and the heartbreak it has caused for her organization and the staff at Stella Maris. Almeida, who is also the mother of an autistic teenager, expressed deep sorrow over the situation.
Christy Almeida
Christy Almeida, Co-Founder, Autism Belize
“Devastating, I am a mother, as you all know, of a child with autism. I have two great fears in my life. One of them is that I will die before my son, and I don’t know who will take care of him. The other is that he will elope and end up passing away because of an accident. Seventy-one percent of autistic died because of elopement and drowning. This is something that terrifies me. If you watch social media, a lot of my autistic families posted and I was very proud of them to share when they know how difficult this is. But a lot of them posted about this being their greatest fear. My son has eloped a dozen times. I can describe so many of these situations, whether he was with me or his father or different people. My son is alive today because of a village, neighbors, people that came out and helped, somebody that saw him and dropped him back. I have these stories, these are vivid. I am so devastated, for the family, for the Stella Maris community, for the parents, for the ministry because I think this has hit us. All the special ed officers was at Stella Maris until six o’clock last night. And I cant imagine the pain the family is going through. It is unimaginable. It is devastating.”
Almeida explained that autistic children need a lot of attention. She mentioned a study by the University of Wisconsin, which found that parents raising autistic kids often experience stress like the PTSD that war veterans face.
Christy Almeida, Co-founder, Autism Belize
“The university of Wisconsin did a research and they measured the stress levels of mom’s with children with autism. The levels were on par to soldiers who have seen active combat, PTSD level. As they blink the child is doing something else. I remember moving into an apartment building when I was living in Puerto Rico and people was coming and Mateo was standing next to me and then he was standing on the balcony railing and he was standing up with his two feet looking down at the beach below. I stopped all the movers and said I am not living here. I cant do it. And this is a blink of an eye. They will find every corner to slip and you have to understand they don’t get danger. And not only with autism, last year our vice chair of autism Belize, he eloped and they called me in a panic. It took over an hour for them to find him. This is common with our children who are easily distracted, wants to see what is out there and don’t get danger. These are not kids that we can simply teach to look both sides of the road before they cross the street or walk on the other side of the road. These are not kids who just bank hooky. That was not happening here. there is a lot of things that can go around. I am not playing a blame game. I need us to understand that these kids don’t get danger and parents and guardians has to be on a hundred percent, and we still need help.”
Today, fire stations across Belize City were pretty much deserted as firefighters staged a sickout. Except for a few administrative staff, firefighters from several stations on both the north and south sides called in sick, clearly showing their frustration with their working conditions. Recently, many firefighters voiced their concerns about low wages, outdated equipment, and unpaid overtime. But that’s not all. In a letter to Kennedy Carrillo, the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, the Public Service Union formally requested adjustments to allowances, audits, performance appraisals, and policy consultations. They are calling for special allowances like hazard and danger pay. The letter also demands a financial and inventory audit due to allegations of fund mismanagement and missing assets. The union expects a written response within the next twenty-one days.
A mother and her four children are left homeless tonight after a devastating fire destroyed their home earlier today. Yvette Bernardez was at work when she got the heartbreaking news that her house was on fire. She lost everything in the blaze. To make matters worse, the National Fire Service’s response was disappointing, with only six firefighters showing up due to a sickout by their colleagues. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
This morning, a residential fire in Belize City destroyed a small, elevated structure on Neal’s Pen Road Extension. Responders from the National Fire Service, including Station Officer Gladstone Bucknor and Kenyatta Grey, were on the scene, joined by a messenger, a mechanic, and two other firemen. With most of their colleagues calling in sick, this small team was left to tackle the blaze on their own.
Gladstone Bucknor
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize District
“The fire is a three-bedroom, four feet elevation house, eighteen-by-twenty, owned by Yvette Bernardez. She’s a security guard.”
Isani Cayetano
“What can you tell us, preliminarily in terms of what you believe to be the cause of this fire?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“I can’t answer that at the moment. We still have to do some investigation. The guys are mopping up right now, so as soon as they are finished mopping up then we are going to go in and see what would have been the cause of it.”
Isani Cayetano
“In terms of containment, what was the response like and how quickly were you able to get this fire under control?”
Gladstone Bucknor
“When the guys got the call, there’s no other house immediately in the area, as you can literally see, it’s a London bridge to the structure. So there’s no other immediate threat to any other structure around it.”
Yvette Bernardez, thirty-six, was on duty as a security guard when she got the alarming news about the fire. By the time she rushed back home, she found nothing but a pile of rubble where her house once stood.
Yvette Bernardez
Yvette Bernardez, Fire Victim
“When I left this morning for work, after five, I called my children this morning and asked them if everything was good, they got ready for school. My daughter was the last person that I spoke to, every day as she goes to work as she goes to work at Public’s. Every fifteen minutes I spoke with her. She told me, “Mom, everything is good. Today, as I came off the phone with her, I got a call that my house is on fire. I don’t understand, I noh know weh gaan wrong. I don’t know. I try my best and I work. Da just me and my four kids.”
Bucknor and his team worked tirelessly, even though they initially faced challenges with not enough hands on deck and a shortage of water. During today’s sickout, it could have been a real disaster if a fire had broken out somewhere else.
Gladstone Bucknor
“Our mechanics are well versed with the truck so they do as much as they can.”
Reporter
“But you didn’t have firemen with you…”
Gladstone Bucknor
“Well I am a firefighter. This is me and I am second in command. We are firefighters so this what we do. As the officer in charge, we respond to all scenes. If you are asking me if there are other firemen around, you know, with all due respect, all the officers have the right to call in sick.”
Isani Cayetano
“How do you carry out your job effectively amidst this particular situation where you don’t have the kind of manpower? This could have been a bigger fire and you have limited resources, in terms of manpower.
Gladstone Bucknor
“In that case, then we rely on other resources. In that case, then we rely on other resources like the police force or any other personnel who can come in and assist.”
Bernardez said she got the alarming call about the fire just moments after hanging up with her daughter.
Yvette Bernardez
“As I came off the phone with her, I got a call from someone that my house is onfire. I don’t understand. I noh know weh gaan wrong, I noh know. I try my bestand I work, da just me and my four kids. I try my best. I noh know, I noh knowweh fi seh. I done cry wahn lot. But at the end of the day, God strong. He givesme the strength and courage to go on. But I know, I left everything eena fi hehand.”
Residents in the area believe that the fire was sparked by an electrical short.
Marsha Belisle
Marsha Belisle, Resident, Neal Pen Road Ext.
“That is what caused the fire, faulty electrical.”
Isani Cayetano
“So, describe for us either the resident or the people who live at that structure that’s under fire.”
Marsha Belisle
“That is one of my neighbors. I sympathize with her. That lady struggled to build her house on her own, from scratch, you understand. She’s been going through a lot. She’s there with her children and the fire just came and everything’s gone.”
