Police: 8-year-old girl gang raped

Posted: July 23, 2009 11:01 AM

PHOENIX, AZ (KOLD) - Four boys between the ages of 9 and 14 are accused of raping an eight year-old-girl.

Phoenix Police say the boys lured the girl into a storage unit at an apartment complex and then gang raped her Wednesday.

Officers say all four boys admitted to raping the girl.

A woman who lives in the apartment complex says she saw the girl crying and only wearing underwear when she walked out of the shed.

The girl has been removed from her home by child protective services.

Police say the victim knows the suspects.

The 14-year-old suspect is being charged as an adult.

8-year-old rape victim to remain in state hands
Posted 7/27/2009 8:00 PM ET
PHOENIX — The father of an 8-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by four boys in an apartment complex will have to wait at least three months before possibly regaining custody.

The father, who is not being named to protect the girl's identity, met with Child Protective Services on Monday.

The girl was taken into state custody after officials said they heard the victim's parents blame her and didn't want her anymore.

The father denies saying the girl brought shame to the family.

The family's pastor, who accompanied him to the meeting, said it will be 90 days until CPS officials reassess the situation. No arrangements for visitation have been made.

Father of 8-year-old rape victim wants her back home
By Terry Tang
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.27.2009
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PHOENIX — The father of an 8-year-old Liberian girl who was allegedly raped by four boys in a Phoenix apartment complex says he wants his daughter back with her family.
Child Protective Services took custody of the girl after police said her parents blamed her for the July 16 assault and didn’t want her anymore.
The father, who is not being named to protect the girl’s identity, denies saying that his daughter had brought shame to the family.
“That is not true,” he said.
The father is meeting with child welfare officials Monday and is being accompanied by the family’s pastor.
“We are trying to conduct our own investigation to be able to put things together,” said Pastor James Nyemah. Nyemah said community officials also want to find out if there was any miscommunication between authorities and the girl’s father.
Prosecutors have charged a 14-year-old Liberian refugee as an adult. Three other boys — ages 9, 10 and 13 — have been charged in juvenile court.
Police said the boys lured the girl to an empty storage shed with the promise of chewing gum. Then they restrained her while taking turns assaulting her.
The incident ignited an international outcry, including comments from Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.