TOT Lambkin gushed as she spoke about her ten-year-old grandson, Kaiden, his love for drawing and his dedication to his schoolwork. She said he would like to become a doctor. However, the joy in her voice was underscored by the grief and sorrow of her murdered daughter.

On December 16, 2017, Lambkin’s daughter, 26-year-old Samantha Isaacs, was shot and killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend, Kahriym Garcia, 31, after he made multiple death threats. Garcia later shot and killed himself.

In a phone interview with Newsday on May 17, Lambkin said she was happy over the May 16 ruling by Justice Robin Mohammed, who found Isaacs’ protection of the law and respect for private and family life were infringed by the inaction of the police and the judiciary. Compensation for Isaac’s family will be determined at a later date.

Lambkin said her grandson is aware of everything that has taken place and they both sought counselling together, describing him as her strong tower and rock.

“He always cheers me up, at times I find myself crying when I look at him. He looks just like his mother, he is as handsome as she was pretty.

“When he sees me crying, he says, Mommy, don’t cry, everything will be alright. He’s the sweetest soul and an A+ student.” She said for three months after her daughter’s death, she could not eat or sleep, saying all she did was lay in bed and cry. Lambkin said it was only after giving her life to Jesus Christ did she begin her journey of healing.

She said the road had not always been easy, and reflected on times of financial hardship. Lambkin said she never received public assistance and they have been surviving on a National Insurance Board pension from her murdered daughter’s job.

“Nobody ever helped me with him. At the time of her murder, I wasn’t working because I had retired to take care of him when he was born.”

Lambkin described taking care of her grandson as her only and most important job and she considers herself a single parent. Lambkin said her life was about serving Christ and taking care of her grandson, ensuring he knew all the wonderful things about his mother and Isaac’s memory is kept alive.

Asked what the recent ruling meant to or for her, Lambkin said whatever the settlement was, it would help with her grandson’s future and ensure he had a good foundation.

“His mother is not around to provide for him, I want to make sure he is taken care of even when I’m not here.”

Above everything, Lambkin says she hopes the judgment sends a strong and clear message to the police that they need to take their jobs seriously, saying their intervention can mean the difference between life and death for a person.

“Not all police are bad, but that one officer who doesn’t do his job can be the cause of another family’s pain and grief. It’s not my daughter alone who has gone through this. There are a number of women still dying at the hands of abusive men and nothing is being done.”

She hoped the judgment also deterred abusive partners.

“The Prime Minister told women to choose their men w