Kidnapped, Abused Mother Rescued At Barrackpore Police Station After 7 Years In Captivity; 2 Suspects Arrested
UPDATE (14/04/26): Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, Edward Moodie, and social media activist and head of Trio.TT, Vicky Rampersad, are said to have been instrumental and relentless in their efforts to rescue Sabita Basdeo from her captors. The suspect, identified by Rampersad as “Fareeda Balgobin,” and her teenage son remain in Police custody as of today (Tuesday 14th April, 2026), while investigations continue into the alleged abuse and false imprisonment of Basdeo, spanning at least seven (7) years in captivity.
During that time, the victim was unlawfully kept away from her husband and children, enduring allegations of unpaid forced labour, physical and sexual torture and abuse.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2: The headline and body of this article have been updated with new details, including numerous, well-documented reports that the victim was held in captivity for seven (7) years — not seven (7) months.
EDITOR’S NOTE: While several media outlets said the victim was in captivity for “months,” there are reports that she was held for seven (7) or more years. We await further clarification and will amend this article accordingly.
A 38-year woman and her 17-year-old son, both of Penal, are now in custody after they allegedly held a mother of two (2) against her will for at least seven (7) years, beating and threatening to kill her whenever she attempted to leave to see her family. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Sabita Basdeo. Investigators have described the case as involving false imprisonment and modern-day slavery.
According to reports, Basdeo, visibly bruised and shaken, arrived at the Barrackpore Police Station with the two (2) suspects last night (Saturday 11th April, 2026), for unknown reasons. Upon spotting two (2) Police Officers, Cpl. Lee Lum and PC Ramsarran, shortly after arriving, Basdeo broke free from her captors and ran towards them, bringing her long ordeal to an end.
Police said Basdeo had injuries to her face and hands. When questioned, she told Officers the wounds had been inflicted by the two (2) individuals who accompanied her to the Police Station.
The victim told Officers that she was forced to perform domestic duties without pay, while being prevented from leaving. During her lengthy period in captivity, she alleged she was beaten, had her head slammed against a wall, was burned about the body and subjected to other forms of abuse, including threats that she would be killed if she tried to escape.
The rescue followed a chain of events triggered by Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, Edward Moodie, who said he became aware of Basdeo’s situation after seeing her in a viral video circulating on social media.
The video also showed another incident involving an elderly man who had also been beaten by the suspects.
Moodie said he later contacted Basdeo’s family and met with her husband and two (2) sons. One of her sons said that when he previously tried to visit his mother, he was assaulted and chased away. “My mother has been there for years now,” the teenager said. “They promised her a job, but when she went, they kept her there and never wanted to send her back home.”
The boy added that he and his sibling were beaten when they attempted to see their mother and claimed the suspects threatened to harm her if she tried to leave. “I feel sad…I miss my mother,” he lamented.
Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, who, upon receiving the information, mobilized a team of Officers, including members of the Barrackpore Police Station and the Southern Division Task Force, to conduct co-ordinated searches at multiple properties in the area, including homes along Seebalack Branch Trace, Ragoonanan Road and Platanite Trace. However, initial efforts failed to locate Basdeo or the suspect identified in the report.
Hours later, in an unexpected turn, the suspect and her son walked into the Barrackpore Police Station with Basdeo between them. As Officers approached, Basdeo broke free and sought help.
The suspects were immediately detained, cautioned and informed of their rights.
Krishendeo Basdeo, the husband of Sabita Basdeo, gave thanks to the Police Commissioner and Vice President of the T&T Red Cross Society, whose intervention led to the rescue of his wife.
A 42-year-old woman is now free after what police describe as a prolonged ordeal of abuse and forced confinement.
— CNC3TV (@CNC3TV) April 13, 2026
Sabita Basdeo was rescued, while a woman and her teenage accomplice have since been charged with false imprisonment in connection with the case.
Radhica and Kristian… pic.twitter.com/DDzn69ZffC
Commissioner Guevarro, meanwhile, praised the role of public co-operation in the rescue. “I am thankful for the person who brought this to my attention…The nation can use this as another example of how citizens and Police can work together,” he said.
Basdeo was taken for immediate medical treatment to the Princes Town District Health Facility by WPC James-Ragoonanan, and later referred to the San Fernando General Hospital for further examination. She has also been offered support through the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
Statements have been recorded from her relatives as investigations continue.
Several charges, including false imprisonment, are expected to be laid against the suspects.
More on this as it becomes available.
[Source: CNC3]
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