NASSAU, BAHAMAS – After spending three days in police custody to be questioned on allegations of rape, 31-year-old Emile Hepburn was not charged and was released last week.
His mother, Tonya Woods, told Eyewitness News Online that she could not be happier.
Hepburn turned himself into police after a composite sketch bearing his image was released by officers of the Central Detective Unit earlier this month.
Hepburn was wanted for questioning in connection with an alleged rape in New Providence, but at the time, he was residing on the island of Eleuthera and maintained that he was innocent.
Hepburn’s mother, however, urged her son to turn himself in and cooperate with officers.
“It had me upset, but to God be the Glory,” said Tonya Woods, adding that the most “troublesome days” she has ever experienced in her lifetime was the three days that her son was detained.
“I was not able to speak to him. He had his cell phone so I told him not to go on an interview without his attorney being present. They questioned him about the incident and they kept him there until Friday,” Woods said.
The concerned mother alleged that her son has been a target for police over the past few years.
“Anything that goes on in the Carmichael area, they target him,” she claimed. In 2016 when he was accused of rape, armed robbery and kidnapping, he was monitored by an electric monitor.
Despite the monitor they still would come to my house, whatever happened in the Carmichael area they would come to my house first.”
Woods claims that while she cannot swear for her son, she can honestly say that he is not a bad guy.
“He has two beautiful kids, he wants the best for his family. He moved away from this island because of the harassment. Our officers need to do a thorough investigation before they deem someone to be guilty.”
Since his release, Woods said that her son has moved back to the island and is working on his fishing boat.
“I told him not to come to Nassau, not even if it’s an emergency,” she said.
When Eyewitness News Online reached out to the police on Wednesday to verify the claims of Woods, they did not have a response.
