by HEATHERLYN EVANSON

THE YOUNG MOTHER who flung her child off her shoulder and onto the ground after he bit her, was remanded pending sentencing when she appeared in the No. 4 Supreme Court yesterday.

And the island's top prosecutor wants her mind evaluated in an attempt to provide some kind of protection for the unborn child she is soon to deliver.

Katrina Jillian Dyer, 26, of 2nd Avenue, Bibby's Lane, St Michael, admitted yesterday that she unlawfully killed her 17-month old son Donte Dyer on September 27, 2005.

"I'm very, very sorry. I would never forget what happened," she sobbed.

"We really need to look at this in a holistic way," said Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC.

"If it is a mother's natural instinct to protect a child, dropping a child because he bit you is not a normal reaction. Parents have put up with worse," said the DPP.

"I respectfully suggest we seek a probe into the mind of [Dyer] for more reason than one – not only for the protection of society but, as you can see," he told the court, "she is great with child again. We must take particular care to protect the child that is yet to come."

Mr Justice William Chandler not only ordered a pre-sentencing report, but asked for a psychiatric and psychological assessment of the woman.

"I would wish to have all the resources that can be made available to us, to assist us in what would be the appropriate steps to take with respect to where she is concerned," said Mr Justice Chandler.

The judge further remanded Dyer to the Psychiatric Hospital after she consented to a psychiatric evaluation.

Dyer returns to court on November 14.

Her attorney, Keith Simmons, who called the incident tragic, said Dyer was remorseful.

"I, too, am concerned and share the views of the director, especially in her present situation, that we should do our utmost to see if we can assist her," said Simmons.

Earlier, in outlining the facts, the DPP revealed that Dyer and her child were waiting at a bus stop in Bibby's Lane. She was there to take the bus to Chimborazo where the child's father lived.

She was with a friend who bought snacks for the child and beer for them.

Donte bit her in the neck and she dropped him on his stomach. She picked him up, got into the bus and went to the child's father's house.

She left him there without telling the father anything.

However, during the night, the father noticed the child was vomiting and restless.

When the child's condition worsened, he took him to the hospital but it died from severe internal bleeding.

When interviewed, Dyer gave police a statement saying: "I had Donte lifting up 'cross my shoulder. He then hold up and was hitting me in my face. Then he bit me and I fling he from my hand and he drop down flat on he belly.

"I feel he hit hard. When he fall I thought he did all right. I didn't tell his father nothing. I was vex when I drop he but I ain't went to hurt he."