Serena Cox.
A 19-year-old man is now in police custody, accused of harbouring 13-year-old Serena Cox, who allegedly ran away from her Gros Islet home last month.
A source close to the family said that Serena was found in a home that was occupied by three young men at Union, Castries on June 11.
The source told St Lucia News Online (SNO) that the 19-year-old man was the only one at the house with Serena at that time of the arrest.
Serena had disappeared from her guardian’s home on the evening of May 31. She was found by police at Union after they received information of her whereabouts.
When asked to shed some light on the matter, Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent said she will not be able to provide any information regarding Cox case, especially since she is a minor.
However, the guardian told SNO that she is happy for Serena’s return, and she will leave the matter up to the relevant authorities.
A relative told SNO in a previous interview, “Hell no! Serena was not being mistreated at the guardians’ house. She had a room to herself, new clothes and shoes, food to eat and they loved her as her own. She would lie on her bed as she watched television and slept on her guardian’s lap at church.”
Serena is currently in the care of the Human Services Ministry as further investigations into the matter are being carried out.