By Belize Live News Staff: Police in San Pedro Town have detained a 61-year-old man accused of bigamy, following a complaint from his first wife, who claims he secretly married another woman while still legally married to her.
The allegations were made by 50-year-old Anastacia Garcia, a resident of Guinea Grass Village, who told authorities that her husband, Javier Garcia, had been living a double life for over a decade.
According to Mrs. Garcia, she and her husband got married in Guinea Grass Village on September 28, 1997 and later moved to Benque Viejo del Carmen, where they spent 14 years together. However, things took a turn when Javier lost his documents and applied for new ones, leading his wife to discover that the name he had been using was fake.
In 2010, the couple returned to Guinea Grass Village, but Javier moved to San Pedro Town for work shortly after. Three years later, he told his wife he wanted a separation but never legally filed for a divorce.
Two years after their split, Mrs. Garcia discovered that her husband had remarried in 2014, despite still being legally married to her. A check at the registry department confirmed the marriage, prompting her to report the matter to police.
Bigamy is classified as an offense under Belizean law, and police have launched an investigation into the matter. If charged and convicted, the suspect could face legal consequences for entering into a second marriage while still being married.
Authorities are continuing their inquiries, and Javier Garcia remains detained for questioning.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow.
