A Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Agbarho, Delta State on Wednesday March 10, sentenced a pregnant woman, Mrs Betty Kennedy to five days community for child abuse. It was gathered that she stripped her 12-year-old daughter naked and tied her up with a rope for many days. She was also said to have stuffed a rag in the child’s mouth so she wouldn’t call out for help. The incident happened on Monday, March 8, in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. 

After a video showing neighbours rescuing the naked child went viral on social media, members of the Conference for the Actualization of Human right led by child right advocate, Comrade Uruemu Akpovwa Olawale, stormed the house with police and arrested the woman.  During interrogation, Mrs Kennedy claimed that her daughter was in the habit of leaving the house and disappearing for many hours so she had to tie her up.  Mrs Kennedy was arraigned in court on Wednesday, March 10, for child abuse. The presiding Magistrate sentenced her to five days community service after she pleaded for leniency.  Speaking after her sentencing, Mrs Kennedy advised other women to stop abusing their children. “Say no to child abuse and molestation. It ‘s not fair to maltreat your child. I am here because I maltreated my child. So I want to say, women should stay away from molesting their children for they are the leaders of tomorrow.