The family of ‘Kenny’ Cooper are demanding answers concerning his death after he was found unresponsive in a cell at the Bahamas Department of Corrections in New Providence.
The family said in a statement, “we are in pain, we are saddened and in disbelief that something like this even happened.” They go on to allege that Kenny was beaten by two other inmates with whom he shared a cell and that officers on duty were not paying “due care and attention.”
Cooper was known in Mayfield Park, Grand Bahama and was a diagnosed with mental illness. He was arrested for car theft and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections.
Family members say they have spoken to the Acting Commissioner at the Department of Corrections who, according to their statement told them, “because of the influx of mental patients at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Center these patients are placed in a designated cell block at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.
Police Press Liaison, Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings spoke to ZNS News on the issue. She said, “what I can say to you, that the matter is still actively being investigated by our department and where our investigation lead us in a direction where persons will be or should be held accountable for their actions then the law will take its due course in regards to it.”
The family says the will continue to seek justice for Kenny and advocate for those with mental illness.
