By Patrick Teah, Jr.
What has been described as a tragic accident in some quarters left a 9-year-old boy, identified as CJ, with a serious foot injury after he was “mistakenly” cut with a cutlass by a 13-year-old, Jayce Boye, in the Southeast, reportedly, Grand Kru .
The incident occurred around 1:00 PM in the yard of their residence. According to accounts from the scene, Jayce had been handling the cutlass and had earlier cautioned CJ to stay clear of the area. Although the younger child initially moved away, he reportedly returned unexpectedly at the moment Jayce’s hand was still raised, leading to the cut.
Community members present say the situation unfolded quickly and showed no sign of deliberate harm, describing it as a moment of misjudgment and unfortunate timing.
Following the incident, members of the Child Welfare and Protection Forum of Liberia (CWFL) in Pronoken responded promptly and rushed the injured child to a nearby public clinic for treatment. CJ is said to be receiving care, though details about his condition remain limited.
The incident has sparked renewed concern among residents about child safety and the handling of sharp tools around minors, especially in residential environments.
Meanwhile, Jayce Boye, visibly shaken and in tears, has expressed regret over the incident, maintaining that it was purely accidental.
Authorities and community leaders are expected to use the situation as a reminder for increased supervision and safety awareness to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
More details to follow.
