Derek Achong
The stepfather of four-year-old Amarah Lallite has been sent for a psychiatric evaluation after making his first court appearance for her murder.
Isan Constant was ordered to undergo the evaluation at St Ann's Psychiatric Hospital as he appeared virtually before High Court Master Margaret Sookraj-Goswami, a short while ago.
Guardian Media understands that Constant was reportedly topless when he first appeared before Master Sookraj-Goswami from the Arouca Police Station via video conferencing.
The court was informed that Constant was reportedly found covered in faeces in the holding cell at the police station before the virtual hearing.
Master Sookraj-Goswami stood the case down briefly for police officers to assist Constant in getting dressed into clean clothing.
When the case resumed, Constant did not answer basic questions posed by Master Sookraj-Goswami including confirming his name.
Constant's lawyer Mario Merritt applied for him to be sent for a mental health evaluation. His application was supported by police prosecutors.
Constant is expected to reappear in court on May 1.
According to reports, around 10.10 pm, last Monday, Lallite's mother Tricia Villaruel went to the police station with her clothes tattered seeking help.
Police officers escorted her to the house at Fifth Street, Five Rivers, which she shared with Constant and her daughter.
The child's body was found in one of the bedrooms. Her severed head was found in a barrel at the back of the house.
Constant was arrested at the scene.
An autopsy conducted last week revealed that she died of blunt force trauma to the head and decapitation.
It was alleged that a car battery was used to bludgeon the child and a pair of scissors was used to cut her lips and gouge out one of her eyes.