Two more ‘punishment rooms’ were found today by Police as part of the ongoing investigation into possible child abuse at a Jersey care home.

Forensic teams at Haut de la Garenne have confirmed that two more rooms in addition to those found earlier this week have been located in the basement of the Victorian care home, in which over 100 people claim to have been abused or sexually assaulted since the 1960s.

An investigation was opened last month after the remains of a human child were found in the cellar of the building after works began on renovating the property. Since then Police have been inundated with calls from previous residence claiming that they either witness or were victims of abuse at the hands of the carers.

Police say that the tests carried out on the remains found on site were ‘inconclusive’ however they confirmed that radio carbonating tells them that they were placed there no earlier than the 1920. As of yet no further remains have been located as the forensic scientists continue the painstaking task of removing the dirt layer by layer. It is thought that when the home was no longer used to house, orphans or children removed from the parents, that the cellar was filled in with concrete and rubble, this has drastic hindered the investigation.

It is believed that all four of these rooms were used for solitary confinement and for assaults on the children aged from 4-11.

The Police have banned the press from approaching previous workers at the home however have banned the movement of many, and hope that there enquiries will produce enough evidence to seek prosecutions.

One former resident of the home who wishes to remain anonymous claimed that, ‘each night you would hear the footsteps coming and then you just wished that it wasn’t going to be your turn, you prayed and if it was your turn you just pleaded with them to stop.’

It is estimated that although over 100 people have so far come forward there may be hundreds more that are too afraid of reliving their dreadful memories.

 

The investigation continues.