her of neglecting her children.

Her daughter was convicted of causing over $17,000 worth of damage to Prospect Primary School in June with several other children.

On Wednesday, Mr. Greaves sentenced the daughter to pay $240 for causing wilful damage. The girl's grandmother protested, saying the mother could not afford to pay that sort of money.

In court Mr. Greaves noted the mother did not attend and said part of the problem was her attitude in raising the child.

The mother spoke out yesterday, claiming the child support money allocated to her by the courts was better spent feeding and clothing her children.

She pointed out that the father lived off the Island and infrequently sent cheques.

"It made it look like I neglect my child,'' the mother said.

She defended her absence in the courtroom.

"I left the court at 11 a.m. to make work. Am I wrong for thinking the court would keep its 10 a.m. appointment?'' Juvenile Court was supposed to start at 10 in the morning but began over two hours later.

"My job was in jeopardy and I have to put a roof over our heads -- put food on the table. I am a bad mother for that?'' The mother said Mr. Greaves did not help her when he deducted child support money when the children spent three weeks with their father abroad.

"I've had the children all their lives and he takes them for three weeks, then Mr. Greaves deducts child support.

"I am a single mother and I have to bring up three children,'' she added.