13-Year-Old girl in coma after being stabbed in domestic dispute

A 13-year-old student of Excelsior High School is in critical condition at Kingston Public Hospital after she was stabbed while attempting to break up a domestic dispute in Bayshore Park, near Harbour View, St Andrew, on Saturday night.

The teen, Kemelia Paul, remains in a coma as doctors prepare for another major surgery to save her life. Her mother, Josephine Mitchell, is now urgently appealing for public assistance to obtain costly medical supplies needed for the procedure, as well as blood donations.

The man accused of carrying out the attack, identified by relatives as Kemar Mitchell, the father of the injured girl’s cousin’s child is still at large. Police have intensified efforts to locate him.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on May 9, when the suspect allegedly went to a family home and launched an attack on the mother of his child during a heated dispute. Family members say a restraining order had previously been filed against him due to alleged abusive behaviour.

During the altercation, Kemelia and another relative reportedly stepped in to separate the pair. “My daughter and another relative tried to break up the fight and push him off,” her mother recounted.

The teen said she suddenly felt a blow to her abdomen, only to realise moments later that she had been stabbed. She collapsed shortly after, bleeding heavily.

The attacker then reportedly attempted to assault other relatives before fleeing the scene. Residents chased him, but he managed to escape.

Since the incident, Kemelia has remained unconscious in hospital. “She hasn’t spoken since,” her mother said emotionally. “She can’t eat. She’s just lying there.”

Doctors performed emergency surgery on Sunday to control severe internal bleeding. However, subsequent scans revealed extensive damage to her liver, prompting the need for another urgent operation.

Mitchell explained that she has been asked to source specialised surgical equipment, including an Endo GIA handle, vascular reloads, and a LigaSure device, items she says are far beyond her financial reach.

“The first surgery was to stop the bleeding, but after the CT scan, they realised the left side of her liver is badly damaged,” she said.

The distraught mother added that she has been visiting multiple pharmacies and medical suppliers in search of the required items. She currently has $70,000, but noted that a single piece of equipment can cost nearly $100,000. “It’s life or death now,” she said.

Kemelia, described as a bright and respectful child, should have been attending school this week. Instead, her family remains by her bedside, hoping for signs of recovery.

“She’s my firstborn. She’s only 13,” Mitchell said. “She worked hard, passed her exams, and got into the school she wanted and now this.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and renewed concerns about the impact of domestic violence on families and children.

Police investigations are ongoing. Persons willing to assist Josephine Mitchell can contact her at 876-590-7998.