Teen Accused in Mahdia Dorm Fire Committed to Stand High Court Trial
February 19 2025– The teen girl slapped with 20 murder charges in relation to the tragic Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire will be tried before a judge and jury.
Given that she was a juvenile at the time of the incident, her identity remains legally protected from publication.
Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce of the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court recently ruled that sufficient evidence exists to commit the case to the High Court, where the teen—represented by attorney Dexter Todd and associated—will face trial at the next practicable sitting of the Essequibo Criminal Assizes.
The state has appointed Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat as the special prosecutor in the case.
The catastrophic May 21, 2023 fire, resulted in the deaths of 19 female students between the ages of 12 and 17, along with a five-year-old boy, the son of the dorm parents.
The victims of the Mahdia dormitory fire include five-year-old Adanye Jerome, Andrea Roberts, Arriana Edwards, Belnisa Evans, Bibi Rita Jeffrey, Cleoma Simon, Delicia Edwards, Eulander Carter, Loreen Evans, Lisa Roberts, Martha Dandrade, Mary Dandrade, Nickleen Robinson, Omerfia Edwin, Sherana Daniels, Sherina Daniels, Subrina John, Tracil Thomas, and Lorita Williams.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), investigations revealed that the fire was allegedly set by the then 15-year-old student—who also lived at the dorm—after her mobile phone was confiscated by the dorm mother and a teacher.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) reported that 59 students were housed in the dormitory at the time, though several had gone home for the weekend.
Those who remained were trapped inside, as the building’s 26 windows were heavily grilled and the five doors were locked with keys, severely restricting escape and rescue efforts.
The tragedy led to a period of national mourning and sparked urgent discussions on dormitory safety and security measures.
In response, the government launched a Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which later revealed that despite concerns raised in a 2017 education sector report, the previous APNU+AFC coalition government took no action to improve dormitory safety.
As part of its response, the government reached financial settlements of $5 million with some victims’ families and provided psychological care. However, several other parents have since pursued legal action, seeking further compensation through the High Court.
