The case of a mother in Britain who hid her daughter in a drawer for three years, keeping her away from sunlight and fresh air, has caused shock and disgust. The little girl was found a few weeks before her third birthday when a visitor heard her crying from the room.
The incident was revealed at Chester Crown Court, where the mother, who has not been identified to the media, was sentenced guilt on four counts of molestation of a minor.
Baby ‘didn’t belong in the family’
The mother admitted that she hid the child in the drawer of her bedso that its existence would not be revealed, neither by her partner, who often stayed at home, nor by her other children. According to the affidavit, the woman fed the little girl milk and cereal through a syringe.
When found, the child was so malnourished that he looked like a seven-month-old infantdespite his age. He did not live up to his name, suffering from severe deformities, skin rashes and other medical conditions, for which the mother had never sought medical attention.
In her statement to the police, the mother stated that she did not know that she was pregnant and felt “terrified” when she gave birth to the child. He also claimed that the infant “he wasn’t part of the family” and that she did not always keep it in the drawer, claiming that it was never closed.
“A Living Death”
The child was discovered by a social worker who was called to the home. Her testimony in court reveals the stark reality: “The mother responded without any emotion when I asked her if her child was in the drawer. He simply said: “Yes, in the drawer”. It was shocking to realize that I was probably the only other person the child had seen, besides his mother.”.
The judge, in announcing the sentence, described the abuse as “devastating” for the child. “He never knew love, proper care or interaction with others. He was deprived of the necessary nutrition and medical care. He almost lived a living death in that room.”.
Continuing, he stated: “I don’t remember another case like this in my 46 years of career. The fact that your secret was revealed was purely a matter of luck.”.
Consequences for the child
The little girl is now in a foster family, but the effects of the abuse she suffered are profound as, according to the court, she faces severe developmental problems.
Source: www.enikos.gr
