Health Minister denies sending nurse to Adriana Younge’s autopsy, police launch probe
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has firmly denied claims made in a viral audio recording in which a woman alleges she was sent by the minister to witness the post-mortem examination of 11-year-old Adriana Younge.
The recording, which began circulating on social media on Sunday night, features a female voice identified as Tiana Serena Lewis-King, a nursing assistant employed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
In the recording, the woman claims she was present during the April 28 autopsy and asserts that the child died from suffocation rather than drowning.
Minister Anthony, in a statement released on Monday, clarified that he has never met or spoken to Lewis-King and did not instruct her or anyone to attend the post-mortem on his behalf.
“As far as I am aware, I do not know this person. I have never met this person and have never spoken to this person,” Dr. Anthony stated. “Therefore, assuming she was present, she was not there upon my instructions or on my behalf.”
He further stated that the post-mortem was conducted under strict protocol and oversight, including full video documentation and a detailed log of all attendees, as is standard for such sensitive procedures.
“It is public knowledge that the post-mortem examination was videotaped,” Dr. Anthony said. “My information is that the said record does not show this person being present at the post-mortem.”
He added that the Guyana Police Force, which managed the videography of the procedure, has since reviewed the footage and confirmed that Lewis-King was not present.
In light of the claims made and their potential to mislead the public and damage reputations, Dr. Anthony said the matter has been formally taken up by the police, who are investigating the origin and intent of the recording.
“I remain in consultation with my lawyers regarding legal proceedings I may wish to pursue against this individual who is obviously trying to maliciously tarnish my professional, public, and personal reputation and standing,” the minister added.
The recording was released hours before the young girl was expected to be laid to rest. However, her family, has postponed her burial, for space to grieve.
