Ondo Father in Police Net for Burning Daughter’s Private Parts Over Bedwetting
The Ondo State Police Command has detained a man, Amos Paul, for allegedly abusing his 10-year-old daughter in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the child was burned on her genitals with a hot pressing iron by her father when she was being punished for wetting her bed. She was rushed to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo where she is under treatment.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh said police got prompt response to the report of the incident by officers attached to the ‘A’ Division of the police in Owo, Ondo State.
He said that detectives turned up at the scene, arrested the suspect and handed the case over to the Command’s Gender Unit for specific investigation and processing in accordance with child protection protocols.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, decried the alleged act as being “cruel, inhumane and utterly unacceptable”.
He repeated the Command’s pledge to the protection of children and other vulnerable persons from child abuse, violence and exploitation, saying that perpetrators of such acts would be held to account in law.
The police also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence as soon as possible, pointing out that prompt reporting would help prevent future incidents, and also aid in protecting children who are impacted and providing them with support and protection.
Child protection experts have always held that wet beds are a natural part of childhood and that no child should be physically punished, humiliated or beaten for wetting the bed. Rather, children’s caregivers are encouraged to respond to children’s behaviors in a calm and soothing manner and, if needed, seek medical or psychological help to explore potential causes.
Authorities stated that they are continuing to investigate, and the suspect is still detained by police pending further investigation.
The incident highlights the need for all children to be raised in an environment free from violence, abuse and degrading treatment to allow them to grow up in safety and security, and to allow them to develop in a nurturing environment. Community, law enforcement and child protection agencies must all be actively involved in saving children who are at-risk, if there is to be a saving done.
