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

Ariz. victim disowned by her Liberian family

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:36 PM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
godawgs
Jul 24, 2009 12:06 PM CDT
@anchower it might be the first and only time, but glad to see that we can agree on something.
Kookey90
Jul 24, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
I agree with you, but then again her parents may be unemployed crackheads who's drug habit is so expensive they can not support an extra mouth to feed - how sad.
Serenity
Jul 24, 2009 11:55 AM CDT
I would vote not guilty, I think alot of parents would.

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