Escapee who buried child alive tracked down, arrested

| 26/11/2024 | 22 Comments

(CNS) UPDATED: Travis Webb (left) who escaped from a mental health ward, Monday has been tracked down. Police said he was located and arrested at about 9pm, Tuesday and is currently in police custody. Webb (32) has been held at the George Town Hospital Mental Ward for several years on an open ended court order. He suffers from severe mental health problems and was the first person in Cayman found not guilty of a very serious crime based on an insanity defence.

In 2018 Webb buried his three year old child, alive, in the family yard in a shallow grave during a psychotic episode. The child was found distressed and struggling to breathe but the emergency services were able to save his life.

Webb was arrested and charged with attempted murder but was found not guilt by reason of insanity. He was held in prison for several years before he was moved to the hospital to a small room designed to hold people for temporary periods during times of acute mental health issues. But Travis has been held in the hospital room since 2020.where he is currently indefinitely detained under the mental health act and by order of the court.

In a press release, Tuesday the RCIPS asked the community for help tracking down Webb who they said remains “unpredictable, and display unstable behaviour.” Having escaped on Monday morning, the police said that family members had been informed and officer have been actively searching for him since being notified of the escape.

Webb was described as being of slim build, with dark complexion, and brown eyes.  He currently has short dark hair and facial hair. He was last seen wearing a white marina, blue sports pants, and red and white trainers, and was carrying a bag. Police have reason to believe he spent the night in George Town, but is now claiming to have employment in East End.

He was caught following a public appeal, yesterday afternoon and the RCIPS thanked the public for their assistance in locating him.


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Comments (22)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The ones who have planned Poinciana to exclude the criminally insane, are criminally insane themselves. …and perhaps criminally liable.

  2. wbw czar says:

    get him to a proper room bless up,

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  3. Anonymous says:

    I don’t think I would feel very sane if I were trapped forever in a facility that can’t meet my needs. I feel for the Webb family.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    I can’t believe this is the same Travis that was once a promising athlete. I’m so sorry Travis, I hope you get the help you deserve.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I remember him from track days. We represented Cayman on the international stage in many instances. I remember him as a calm, respectful and intelligent individual, who always gave his best effort on the track. Praying you get the help you need.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    If this isn’t evidence enough of a need for the mental facility, then what is?

    CNS Note: Given the widespread misunderstanding about the new mental health facility its important to note that it is not designed for and there are no plans to house the criminally insane in it. Once it opens the places are all taken by people currently housed in overseas institutions or those in Cayman who are in need of residential care. We still need a separate properly designed secure facility for those who are in HMP Northward and Fairbanks who are serving long sentences after being found guilty of serious crimes even though they are suffering from severe mental health problems from psychosis to schizophrenia and are not being properly cared for.

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    • Al Catraz says:

      For cases this severe, the Parliament is a better option.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I am also aware of a female inmate in the women’s prison who is suffering from severe mental episodes. She also escaped from the mental ward at HSA. There is nowhere else to put her. Meanwhile this government is wasting funds on scooping out and re- aligning roads that continue to lead to the same destination at snail pace. We are really in a mess on this island. The

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    • Anonymous says:

      You say that but if these persons were sent away in the first place, what makes them so safe to be housed at Poinciana?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Being locked in a small hospital room for 5 years must have done wonders for his mental health.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Poinciana got a full fleet of trucks on the road though at least.

    #worldclass

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Another political failure. Had the mental health facility been completed on time and to its original budget, this young man wouldn’t be on the loose, he would be getting the support he needs in a secure environment.

    CNS NOTE: Please see the above note as the new facility will not house the criminally insane

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    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe Sabrina could give us an update on the anticipated opening date?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I sincerely hope that this is something that will be an election issue. It’s a disgrace that we don’t have a proper mental health facility here for people who cannot help the way they are, but are a danger to other people.

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    • Anonymous says:

      @CNS thanks for clarifying. It’s insane to think there are no plans for the criminally insane, there are so many in the communities. This ought to be a priority since time! Such an epic failure. 😕

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  9. Anonymous says:

    It’s hard to fathom how the Governor can allow this type inhumane treatment of this young man considering her homeland are such advocates of human rights. Is she on job or pre retirement secondment? Caymanians struggling and carrying the burden of our politicians decisions yet she does nothing. Sad times and the worst is coming if changes don’t come.

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    • Anonymous says:

      ‘Caymanians struggling and carrying the burden of our politicians decisions yet …’ you are still blaming others!

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    • Anonymous says:

      carrying the burden of our politicians decisions – the ones we elected, you mean? So you think that rather than the responsibility lying with us to elect honest and competent politicians, the governor should invoke colonial powers and intervene? And promptly have the UK accused of colonialism.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    The Compass article states that family has said they do not think he poses a threat to himself or others as he is medicated for a long term condition. Why the drastically different reports?

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    • Anonymous says:

      And how would he still be on his medication while escaped? I doubt he’s refilling his meds at Doctors Hospital.

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  11. Junior says:

    No doubt now he has escaped he will be thrown into jail to be forgotten about along with all the other mentally ill people. Shame shame shame

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    • Anonymous says:

      Not all mentally ill people are thrown in jail; a substantial amount are elected to Parliament.

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