Dasquian Belargic
Nov 14th, 2003, 02:21:22 PM
From here (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=3&u=/nm/20031113/od_nm/stepmother_dc):
Kenyan police said on Thursday they had rescued an 18-year-old boy who was forced by his stepmother to sleep in a chicken coop for the past 10 years.
Investigators acting on a tip-off found James Kimathi Mwirigi badly malnourished and scarred from apparent beatings in the central Kenyan district of Meru, a police official said.
"His stepbrother confirmed to us that he has been maltreated. But he is above the age of what is considered a child, so we have to proceed very carefully," the commanding police officer told Reuters.
Villagers told police that the teenager -- thought to be mentally disabled -- was denied food and a proper education, while being made to carry out household duties and farm chores.
According to neighbors, the stepmother had a reputation for cruelty and was shunned in the village. Police said they were searching for the parents.
:\ How do these people live with themselves?
Kenyan police said on Thursday they had rescued an 18-year-old boy who was forced by his stepmother to sleep in a chicken coop for the past 10 years.
Investigators acting on a tip-off found James Kimathi Mwirigi badly malnourished and scarred from apparent beatings in the central Kenyan district of Meru, a police official said.
"His stepbrother confirmed to us that he has been maltreated. But he is above the age of what is considered a child, so we have to proceed very carefully," the commanding police officer told Reuters.
Villagers told police that the teenager -- thought to be mentally disabled -- was denied food and a proper education, while being made to carry out household duties and farm chores.
According to neighbors, the stepmother had a reputation for cruelty and was shunned in the village. Police said they were searching for the parents.
:\ How do these people live with themselves?