Child domestic worker hospitalised after alleged abuse by doctor couple in Brahmanbaria
According to family members, she had been prevented from contacting her relatives for the past three months
A 10-year-old domestic worker was admitted to Brahmanbaria General Hospital yesterday (29 April) after being subjected to alleged abuse by a physician couple in Brahmanbaria, her family said.
The child had been working at the home of Noman and Kimiya Sadat Tofa, a doctor couple, in the Uttar Mourail area of the town for around nine months.
According to family members, she had been prevented from contacting her relatives for the past three months. Recently, the couple informed the family that she had fled after stealing from the house.
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On 26 April, the family filed a general diary with Sadar Police Station.
Following this, police recovered the child yesterday from a neighbouring house adjacent to the couple's residence and handed her over to her family. The child had multiple injury marks on her body, according to family members.
Her family alleged that she was repeatedly abused while being forced to work, and that attempts are now being made to accuse her of theft falsely.
However, denying the allegations, Noman said the child had been brought into the household to assist his wife.
He said, "He had recently been in the Philippines for training, and claimed that on 22 April the child stole approximately two bhori (Approximately 23.33 grams) of gold and Tk70,000 before fleeing."
He alleged that the abuse claims were fabricated to cover up the theft.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station, Shahidul Islam, said, "No formal written complaint has yet been filed regarding the alleged abuse." He added that appropriate legal action would be taken if a complaint is submitted.
