Thread: AZ-Liberian official has emotional meeting with rape victim

Liberian official has emotional meeting with rape victim

Reported by: Tim Vetscher
Last Update: 5:48 pm
The Liberia's ambassador spoke to the congregation Sunday

PHOENIX (AP) -- Liberia's deputy ambassador to the U.S. says he met with an 8-year-old rape victim in Phoenix and tried to console her with hugs and a teddy bear.

Edwin Sele said Sunday the girl is traumatized and cried heavily during their meeting.

"She cried so bad that I almost cried," said Sele. "I mean, this is a very pretty girl that has gone through some very trying times."

Sele says the 8-year-old needs to be reunited with her family to get the best care possible.

"There's no way her parents can stay away from her," said Sele. "It's injurious for her parents to be away."

Police allege four boys, all Liberian refugees ages 9 to 14, lured the girl to an empty storage shed July 16 with the promise of chewing gum, then restrained and raped her.

The 14-year-old, Steven Tuopeh, has been charged as an adult. Prosecutors want to charge a 13-year-old in adult court as well.

Sunday, members of the Liberian Association of Arizona drew comparisons to the 8-year-old St. Johns boy who murdered his father and his father's friend.

"He was never tried as an adult but they are trying these boys as an adult," said Roosevelt Gaysue who considers the two cases a double standard. "We don't know why."

The case sparked an international outcry, and Sele went to Phoenix to meet with police, child care workers and prosecutors at the request of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Sele is scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., at 7:30 Monday morning.


http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoen ... F7Kbg.cspx

I guess other countries have noticed how Mexico has successfully interfered in American policies of law and figure they can too.