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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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26

Youths Charged With Sexual Assault of 8-Year-Old Girl

Ariz. victim disowned by her Liberian family

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(Newser) – Four boys aged 9 to 14 are being held in connection with the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in Phoenix, the Arizona Republic reports. All of the children are Liberian refugees. Police say the boys lured the girl into a shed with chewing gum and “took turns” assaulting her. The girl is in state custody after her family disowned her. "The parents felt they had been shamed or embarrassed by their child," a police sergeant told KTAR-AM.

A police spokesman called the attack “one of the worst crimes we have come across in Phoenix in quite some time.” All four boys have been charged with sexual assault, and prosecutors hope to try the 14-year-old as an adult. Three of the suspects may also be charged with kidnapping. Police say the victim knew her attackers, but it is unclear how long they have lived in the apartment complex where the crime occurred or when they left Liberia.

Steven Tuopeh, 14, one of four boys arrested in the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in Phoenix.
Steven Tuopeh, 14, one of four boys arrested in the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in Phoenix.   (AP Photo)
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26 comments
VIEWING:
 
Caps
Jul 23, 09 1:49 PM CDT
All these boys should be castrated. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+17
IN RESPONSE:
joshua70448
Jul 23, 09 1:51 PM CDT
Along with her parents. Disowning her for getting raped? Ridiculous.
Vote up! Vote down!
+19
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jul 23, 09 2:35 PM CDT
So it's wrong to put people in a room with bugs, or waterboard them, or deprive them of sleep for fighting against our country but you want to castrate kids for rape without a trail?
Vote up! Vote down!
-7
IN RESPONSE:
Meena
Jul 23, 09 4:02 PM CDT
they should be castrated then thrown in a maximum security prison, where they can experience the great carnal pleasures of coercive sodomy
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 23, 09 6:54 PM CDT
I can't believe I agree with godawgs.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2

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