Today, 22 year old mother and accused killer of three of her children Felicia Chen held a folder over her face as she was taken back to Belize City Magistrate's Court.
Chen was charged with three counts of murder yesterday but before she can be remanded, the Court has to determine if she's fit to go to prison.
Yesterday, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal appeared in court to raise the issue of her present mental condition and whether the Prison was the best place for her at this time. Magistrate Dale Cayetano granted a one day adjournment for Dr. Elma Augustine and Psychiatric Nurse Eleanor Bennett to assess Chen's condition.
They reported to the court that Chen is suffering from chronic clinical depression and that it is so bad right now, that she is a danger to herself. They found that her mental state is a priority and that she was in urgent need of therapy.
And so, based on this advice, Chen was remanded to a Mental Health Hospital for observation. She will return to Court in 14 days. According to the DPP, the process is to ensure that quote, "the best possible decision was made for the welfare of the accused, who, notwithstanding the fact that she has been charged with a criminal offence and the nature of that offence, is still owed a responsibility by the State," end quote.
The DPP stresses that quote, "Chen's fitness to stand trial and her state of mind at the time that she allegedly committed the offences and the effect that that may have on her degree of culpability are separate issues," end quote.
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