Deon Jeffery, a 25-year-old contractor from Parfait Harmonie, is calling for his name to be cleared after being wrongfully detained in connection with the tragic disappearance and death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
Jeffery, who was held by police for over 12 hours on Thursday, has described the ordeal as “stressful and humiliating”, saying the false accusations have not only cost him work but have also left him fearing for his safety and reputation.
Adrianna Younge was found lifeless in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen on Thursday, the day after she had reportedly gone missing during a family outing. Repeated searches of the hotel grounds between Wednesday and Thursday morning initially failed to locate her.
A statement from the Guyana Police Force claimed CCTV footage showed the child entering a red and black Toyota Raum – registration PSS 4684 – which allegedly drove away in the direction of Vreed-en-Hoop. That statement was later retracted.
A case of mistaken identity or a blatant lie?
Unfortunately for Deon Jeffery, that registration number matched the car he had recently rented.
“I saw the post on Facebook and was shocked,” Jeffery told the News Room.
“I didn’t even know what was going on. I had just picked up my brother and his wife to take them to the hospital when I was stopped by police near the Harbour Bridge.”
According to Jeffery, officers initially accused him of a hit-and-run involving a child in Tuschen – a claim that baffled him as he had not visited the area for over a week.
“I got upset. I have nieces and nephews around the same age. I’d never harm a child, much less drive away from the scene.”
To his shock, a second officer then informed him he was being investigated for an alleged abduction.
“I was detained from around 6am and wasn’t released until after 6pm,” Jeffery said. “I was treated like a criminal, even though I’d done nothing wrong.”
Jeffery was held at the La Grange Police Station on the instructions of the divisional commander. While he says some officers treated him respectfully, including Ms Boston at La Grange, others – particularly those at the Harbour Bridge – were aggressive and refused to provide their badge numbers.
“I live in an apartment complex where more than ten people can confirm I was home at the time of the alleged abduction. The car never even left the front of the building.”
Jeffery says he was never placed in a cell, but had to spend the day seated and under constant watch. The incident, however, cost him more than just peace of mind.
“I lost a contract worth $500,000 because I couldn’t show up for work. I get paid daily, and this incident makes me look like a criminal. Who’s going to want to work with me now?”
The car in question has since been reclaimed by its owner, who, like Jeffery, now fears backlash from the public. Jeffery says the man is worried the vehicle could be targeted or vandalised due to the misinformation.
Jeffery, a devout Muslim who abstains from alcohol, smoking, and partying, says the situation has been especially painful given his quiet lifestyle and strong values.
“For someone like me to be dragged into something like this—it’s tough. Really tough.”
Now that Adrianna’s body has been found and the vehicle officially ruled out in her disappearance, Jeffery is appealing to both the public and the authorities to correct the narrative and restore his reputation.
“I was falsely accused. I was never involved in any abduction. I just want the truth to come out so I can get back to living my life in peace.”
The post ‘I was treated like a criminal’ – man wrongly accused in Adrianna Younge’s death speaks out appeared first on News Room Guyana.
