Prayers are offered for tragic toddler (From Western Telegraph)

Prayers are offered for tragic toddler

THE TODDLER whose tragic death on the beach near Saundersfoot last week led to his mother being charged with murder would have been two years old yesterday (Tuesday).

Worldwide attention has been focused on the seaside village after the incident at Coppet Hall beach.

On Sunday, more than 500 holidaymakers, local residents and emergency team members attended an open air memorial service at Saundersfoot Harbour.

The service was led by the Vicar of Saundersfoot, Canon Michael Butler, who has been offering prayers throughout the week in St Issells Church. He said people had come from far and wide for Sundays service, which he hoped would help towards the healing process.

The initial impact of the tragic discovery of the body of little Jordan Reid, from the Birmingham area, left villagers and holidaymakers stunned. During Sundays service, Canon Butler was presented with flowers by the couple who found the little boy face down in a rock pool at around 10.30 am last Tuesday, with his baby buggy 100 yards away.

The discovery sparked off a massive air and sea search as police and coastguards initially believed that an accident had occurred out at sea. It had been a harrowing experience for the man and woman, who have a holiday home in Saundersfoot and are regular churchgoers, said Canon Butler.

On Sunday we said prayers for the little boy, his mother, his family, the couple who found the body and for everyone involved in the investigation, he explained. I also called on people to remember the children who died last week in the Gaza Strip and at the Air Show in the Ukraine. My own son is married to a Ukranian girl and they are in Ukraine with my granddaughter at the moment. There are children dying throughout the world every day, but the tragedy of Jordan has brought this so much closer.

Coastguards, police and ambulancemen were present at the service and Coastguard sector manager Dave Miller said: Any member of the emergency services, when dealing with children, tends to be affected more.

Bobby King, of the Jalna Hotel, Saundersfoot, said: It is a terrible tragedy and people have naturally been upset.

Saundersfoots county councillor Rosemary Hayes described the reaction in Saundersfoot to the tragedy as one of absolute shock.

Any childs death is so sad, but especially when it has happened in tragic circumstances, she said.

Police have set up an incident room at Pembroke Dock Police Station, and continue their appeal for anyone with any information to contact them on 01646 682121.

q The mother of the toddler found dead on a Saundersfoot beach last week has been charged with his murder.

After being questioned by police for three days, 32-year-old Mirlene Priscilla Stewart, from the Birmingham area, was charged on Friday afternoon.

She appeared before Carmarthen magistrates before being remanded in custody to Swansea Crown Court next Tuesday.