The high-stakes investigation into the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza has sparked public and official friction in Tobago, after the Tobago House of Assembly’s top leader publicly condemned the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) for critical missteps in handling the case. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine made his scathing criticism clear in an interview at Scarborough’s Shaw Park Complex this week, stating he has deep dissatisfaction with the investigative response that falls far short of public expectations.
Augustine argued that mishandling of the case began from the moment the toddler was reported missing, with the critical first 48 hours — a window widely recognized as make-or-break for missing person investigations — marked by unforced errors. While he stopped short of releasing detailed public criticism that could erode public trust in the TTPS, Augustine left no doubt that the response has been unacceptable. “I am not satisfied with how the TTPS managed this case. I feel as though justice is not being served, I feel as though justice is still delayed,” he told local outlet the Express.
Speaking from the perspective of a parent, Augustine questioned the extensive delay in questioning the child’s family, a gap that he described as unfathomable. He questioned why investigators did not move sooner to question the toddler’s parents, noting that a two-year-old child is incapable of surviving independently or evading search efforts. “How do you lose a two-year-old in such an awfully spectacular manner is beyond me,” Augustine said, adding that the extended wait to question the toddler’s guardians does not align with basic investigative urgency.
He amplified the public’s growing anger over the botched response, emphasizing that the disappearance of a young child is far from a minor inconvenience that can be brushed aside. “This is a whole human being that cannot give account for [himself], and Tobago and Tobagonians have every right to be dissatisfied, to be incensed, in how this entire case was managed,” he said. Augustine added that the case should stand as a critical learning lesson for the TTPS, highlighting major gaps in protocol for high-stakes missing person cases involving young children.
For context, Angelo was reported missing from his Goodwood, Tobago home on May 11. To date, the toddler has not been found, though law enforcement has secured one major charge: Angelo’s 24-year-old stepfather, Shannon Miller, is currently facing a murder charge in connection with the toddler’s death. The child’s mother, Kalifah Tobias, and five other people previously detained as part of the investigation have all been released without charge.
In response to Augustine’s criticism, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh pushed back on claims of mismanagement while extending an open hand for dialogue. Singh confirmed that he remains open to meeting with Augustine to discuss the chief secretary’s concerns, noting that he welcomes input from all public stakeholders to improve police service delivery. “I am open for engagement with the Chief Secretary as I am with any citizen for the improvements to our service delivery. I am sure we will engage to foster mutually beneficial development of the professional output our offices are responsible for,” Singh said.
Singh defended the investigative team’s work, arguing that officers acted consistent with professional standards and constitutional legal requirements. He noted that when children are harmed or go missing, the tragedy impacts every member of the community, but police must balance public urgency with legal obligations. Specifically, he pointed to the requirement of building solid evidence before making moves, the constitutional presumption of innocence, and the right to privacy for all involved. He added that releasing full investigative details to the public before the case goes through court proceedings would risk undermining the integrity of the final outcome.
Singh also closed by acknowledging Augustine’s role, noting that the chief secretary has supported search efforts for Angelo from the moment the missing person report was filed, and that the TTPS respects his perspective on the case.