Police in Trinidad and Tobago have charged a 26-year-old man with murder following the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne, whose body was discovered after she was reported missing in southern Trinidad.

Layne, from Los Iros Road, Erin, was reported missing on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Her body was found the following morning along Carapal Road, Erin, an area located in the south of the island.

According to police, Layne’s body was discovered shortly after 6:40 a.m. on Sunday near an oil well.

Reports said a worker employed with Trinity Exploration and Production Services was on his way to conduct maintenance at Well ER-46 when he discovered the child’s motionless body lying on the ground.

A post-mortem examination later determined that Layne died from blunt force trauma to the head.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said officers from the Homicide Bureau conducted investigations into the child’s death, with advice later received from Special Advisor Ms Honore Paul to charge the suspect.

The accused man, who is from Beach Road, Palo Seco, another community in southern Trinidad, is expected to appear before a Master of the High Court on Thursday, June 11.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro expressed condolences to Layne’s family and said the death had affected the wider national community.

“The entire Trinidad and Tobago Police Service stands with Mercedez’s family and with every parent, guardian, and community member who are hurting today,” Guevarro said.

“The loss of this child through this heinous crime is a wound to the nation’s soul. No child in this country should ever have their future stolen by violence, and no family should ever have to carry this kind of pain.”

The Commissioner said police approached the investigation with urgency and a commitment to justice.

“Our children deserve to grow up safe, protected, and surrounded by a society that values their innocence,” he said.