PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday December 20, 2018 – A Caribbean Airlines (CAL) pilot and his wife, along with two lawyers are among five people charged in Trinidad and Tobago with illegally adopting a baby boy.

Patrick Borel, his Italian spouse Danielle Parinello, attorneys-at-law Kijana Da Silva and Annabelle Sooklal -Boynes, and translator, Adrianna Ragbir, appeared in court today and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that between July 31 and September 30 this year, they took part in arranging the adoption of the infant who was born in September. Only the Children’s Authority has the authority to make arrangements for the adoption of children in Trinidad and Tobago.

The case has been adjourned until January 16 next year and the five continue on bail which was granted before their court appearance.

As one of the conditions of his bail, Borel has to make his flight schedule available to the court and also report to the Arouca Police Station every two weeks.

The arrests follow an investigation which began in October, after a Venezuelan woman alleged she was coerced into selling her baby.