A disturbing case of child abuse has rocked Winneba in the Central Region after a woman allegedly poured hot water on her stepchild’s private part, leaving the victim with severe injuries.
According to police reports, the incident occurred when the stepmother, known as Akaima, a Liberian national, allegedly scalded the three-year-old child after she punished her for bedwetting.
The child sustained serious burns in her private part and was rushed to the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba for emergency treatment.
Medical officers indicated that she will require complex procedures to restore her reproductive organs due to the severity of the injuries.
Reports stated that the stepmother had frequently subjected the child to harsh treatment before the shocking incident.
The father of the victim has since been arrested by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service for failing to protect his child.
Police indicate that he may face charges related to negligence and complicity in the assault.
Community members in Winneba have expressed outrage over the incident, calling for justice and stronger enforcement of child protection laws.
However, DOVVSU at the Winneba Divisional Police Command assured the public that thorough investigations are underway, with efforts underway to arrest the suspect who caused the severe damage to the girl.
The child rights NGO, Challenging Heights, has also stepped in to support the family with medical expenses. Its Mother and Child Rescue Unit has also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the stepmother.