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Scarlett's mother Fiona fails to appear for hearing

     Panaji: British national Fiona Mackeown, the mother of murdered teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, who was summoned by Goa's Women and Child Welfare Department, failed to appear before the authorities today. Fiona said that she did not have adequate time to make alternative arrangements for the safety and care of her other children. While moving an application before the authority on Friday, Fiona's legal counsel Vikram Varma said "My client is a single mother of seven minor children and her presence in England with her children is essential for their care and safety." On February 18, Scarlett was found dead on Goa's beach, following which two locals were arrested for drugging, raping and leaving her to die on the beach. Fiona is being prosecuted under the Goa Children's Act as she had allegedly neglected Scarlett by leaving her with another male on the day of her death. Utt Goenkara, a local NGO, had filed an application before the Women and Child Welfare Department against Fiona's neglect over Scarlett.
-Sep 12,  2008