An aunt of convicted child killer Sharina Tuzo has warned teenagers to be fully aware of their legal responsibilities before they agree to look after babies.

Tuzo, 23, was jailed for six years for manslaughter because she failed to do anything while her boyfriend Jermaine Pearman was beating their five-month-old godson Saed Young when they were supposed to be looking after the child in 1997.

In an "open letter" to teenagers sent to The Royal Gazette, Tuzo's aunt, Lois Burgess writes: "Teens, be careful how much responsibility you assume for ace-girl or ace-boy's baby.

"Infants are not toys. They look so cool in their outfits. Babies have very real needs. It is the caregiver's responsibility to see to the safety and care of the child when in your possession.

"These needs can be very demanding and frustrating. Don't set yourselves up in an adult situation unless you are aware of the legal ramifications that you may have to face if the situation goes bad."

Mrs Burgess said her niece was a "sensitive young woman" - who was 18 at the time of the killing - who had "always loved children".

She recalled watching her push Saed's stroller when his mother Roshea Young Lewis, formerly Tuzo's best friend, walked behind. Tuzo and Pearman were supposed to be caring for the baby for ten days while Ms Young Lewis was resting in a hostel for single mothers.

Mrs. Burgess said she warned her niece not to take too much responsibility for the baby.

"She (Tuzo) looked at me and gently reassured me that nothing would go wrong and that the baby was her godson. How I wish she would have listened that day. How I wish I had been a little more forceful that day. She was so sure she was doing the right thing. Now this tragedy!"

Mrs. Burgess wonders what could have gone wrong to allow her niece to do nothing over a ten period in 1997 when Pearman was abusing the baby, eventually splitting its skull, in the house in Bob's Valley Lane, Sandys.

"What prompted a teenager to allow a baby to stay in the presence of an abusive boyfriend? Was it a cold, calculated decision to allow a baby to die?

"What could have prompted an adoring godmother to stand by and see a young baby being ill-treated and abused by someone? Is it possible that an immature young lady found herself in a situation over (her) head?

"I followed the case in the courtroom. I have felt the loss and the grief of the mother and Sharina. The baby is dead. The mother has experienced a great loss.

"The friendship between mother and caregiver is lost forever. Sharina's life is forever changed.

"Don't take on someone's responsibility. In the final analysis, Sharina is standing alone in this situation. No godson. She has lost a close friend. Sharina made some bad choices. She is paying for her mistakes."

Bermuda Nurses Association in today's Royal Gazette say it would not be right for Tuzo, who wants to study to be a paediatric nurse and work with children, to be allowed to practice as a nurse.

"Banned from the nursing profession. Right or wrong? Many folks, however, have gone into careers because of past experiences hoping to make amends or make a difference in similar situations," continued Mrs. Burgess.

"Sharina did not physically inflict any injury on Saed. Sadly, she turned a 'blind eye' or 'inexperienced mind' to the tragic situation.

"I in no way minimise the death of a young child. I say to the mother: 'My love, sympathy and prayers continually go out to you'.

"To my niece Sharina: 'Remember that man may never be able to forgive you. God forgives. Your family loves you and will stand behind you in your effort to make something new out of your life'."

Another of Tuzo's aunts in a letter to the newspaper writes that she does not want to minimise the tragedy, but there are two sides to the story.

She said Ms Young Lewis must have known Tuzo's character because she had entrusted Saed to her care on a number of occasions.

And she wonders if she visited the child during the ten day period Tuzo and Pearman were supposed to be looking after it, and if so, did she notice anything to alarm her.