Woman behind bars for brutally starving, beating 5-year-old niece over food
In a disturbing incident in Murray Town Barracks, Freetown, Sierra Leone, police have apprehended Fatmata Barrie, who savagely assaulted her 5-year-old niece, Mariama Musa.
The horrifying incident unfolded a few days ago when Mariama, who had endured a day without food, dared to take a morsel from the cooking pot.
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An eyewitness at the scene shed light on the distressing situation, revealing that Mariama had been brought from the village to assist her aunt with domestic chores. Regrettably, this was not an isolated instance of abuse.
Reports suggest that this particular woman had subjected the innocent child to a series of cruelties under the guise of discipline.
The witness further expressed concern, stating that the perpetrator, Fatmata Barrie, had been boastful about her husband’s military affiliation, implying impunity from any form of intervention, even by the police.
The family resides in Capt. Thoranka’s compound within Murray Town Barracks.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has since confirmed the incident through an official statement issued on Monday, September 11, 2023.
According to the HRCSL, Mariama Musa is currently receiving medical attention to address her injuries.
“The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has been closely monitoring the distressing reports of child cruelty depicted in a video circulating on social media,” the statement asserted.
Continuing its efforts, the HRCSL disclosed that its Directorate of Gender and Children’s Affairs had identified the victim as Mariama Musa, a five-year-old girl residing with her aunt, Fatmata Barrie, at Murray Town Barracks in Freetown.
Meanwhile, the alleged perpetrator is in police custody at the Congo Cross Police Division in Freetown.
