Placencia Residents Vex as Man Charged with Rape “Free on Bail”

Earlier this month, 34-year-old construction worker Dane Percival Neal was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl.

The Belize Police Department has yet to issue an official police report on this matter.

Meanwhile, Placencia residents have taken to Facebook to express their frustration following reports that Neal is out on bail.

One Facebook user condemned the situation, saying Neal “…he perfectly walked free on bail. Smiling and enjoying his time.” The user added, “Things like this need to be dealt with.”

Earlier this month, another user pointed out the community’s tendency to remain silent, saying, “It takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes the silence of a village hurts a child also.”

A week ago, another local posted on Facebook questioning how anyone accused of such a crime could be granted bail. The user added that it is the parents’ “duty to stand up against this” and that “people should be angry about this.”

Reports indicate that the child and her sibling were removed from their home after social services became involved.