PHOTO: Little child victim, Fatu Melba displaying her burnt hand
The issue of domestic violence in Liberia remains a major challenge, with majority of the victims being children and women, including one of the latest child victims in the western Gbarpolu, who suffers severe burnt of her hand.
A 40-year-old father identified as Nelson Melba along with his wife and another daughter of his have been, arrested, investigated, charged and sent to the Kungbor Magisterial Court for allegedly burning the right hand of his seven-year-old biological daughter, Fatu Melba who he accused stealing food.
The incident occurred on last Friday July 16, 2021 in Borborbee town, Kongba District in this western county.
The persons were charged with aggravated Assault is a felony of the second degree in violation of Chapter 14.20 of the New penal law of Liberia which says
- 14.20.Aggravated assault.
(a)Causes serious bodily injury to another purposely,knowingly orrecklessly; or
A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he:
(b)Purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.
Aggravated assault is a felony of the second degree
Defendant Melba accused his little daughter of stealing a piece of meat from over his food.
After accusing little Fatu, he placed a burning coal in the right hand of Fatu and instructed her to close her hand with it in it until it goes off. And being under intense pressure from her father, the little girl did that until the burning coal went off in her hand, thus inflicted severe burn of her hand.
Defendant Nelson Melba, his wife, Amelia Melba and her daughter, Princess Melba were together charged with Criminal attempt to commit murder and aggravated Assault.
The United Nations Convention on the Right of a Child says:
- Survival rights: include the child’s right to life and the needs that are most basic to existence, such as nutrition, shelter, an adequate living standard, and access to medical services
- Protection rights: ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind.
Meanwhile, the child victim is currently in the custody of the Magisterial Court’s Clerk, as she experience severe pain from the critical burn.
The little girl is asking for help from humanitarian groups, the Liberian government of through Gender Ministry as well as Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and President George Manneh Weah.