The loved ones of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne are struggling to come to terms with what happened in the final moments of their child’s life.And citizens are expressing outrage that the life of another innocent child has been violently taken away.The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has called for a full and thorough investigation into the death of Mercedez, whose battered body was found on Sunday, hours after she went missing.In a media release on Monday, the Authority appealed to the justice system to pursue a full scale investigation and to hold all those involved, fully accountable under the law.The Authority also called for increasing public education and advancing awareness initiatives that create safer environments for the nation’s children.And it asked that the public become involved in the fight and report any concerns about the safety of a child to the Police at 999 or to the Authority at 996.Mercedez, a Standard Four pupil of Erin RC School, was found in bushes off Carapal Road, Erin, at around 6.43am. The child was found lying on her stomach in only a green t-shirt, nude from her waist down.Police found her underwear, shorts, Ramen noodles, and a packet of cigarettes near her body. A circular piece of wood and broken beer bottle were also found at the scene.An autopsy found that Mercedez died from blunt force trauma to the head.The Express was told that staff and pupils at the Erin RC School were distraught by the death of a child who was ‘bright and a joy to be around’.The nearby Siparia Road KPA School also observed a moment of silence for Mercedez on Monday.“At 12:30 p.m. today, the staff and students of our school observed a moment of silence in solidarity with the Erin RC School community, following the tragic passing of Mercedez Layne, a Standard 4 student. We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking incident. During our period of reflection, which included meditation, prayer, and the singing of Bhajans, we collectively honored Mercedez's memory and extended our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones,” the school posted.The Siparia school added that In light of the incident, students received a briefing regarding personal safety and awareness. “We take this opportunity to urge all parents, grandparents, and guardians to remain exceptionally vigilant. Please continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children at all times,” it stated.Mercedez was reported missing around 4 p.m. on Saturday by her grandfather, Morriso Gastoigne.He told police he last saw the child around 11.30 a.m. when she entered a pink-coloured station wagon driven by a man unknown to him. The vehicle was reportedly headed towards her home along Los Iros Beach Road, but she never arrived.