Johnsonville, Montserrado County –The community of Kpelleh Town in Johnsonville has been left reeling in shock and outrage following a horrifying case of alleged child abuse involving a 10-year-old boy.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports from the Liberia National Police, the child was allegedly tortured by his uncle-identified only as Daniel, a man of Guinean Kpelle descent, who reportedly used razor blades to cut the boy and then rubbed pepper into the open wounds.
The assault is said to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. Disturbingly, the suspect allegedly instructed the child to buy the very razor blades and pepper that were later used in the abuse.
Upon the boy’s return, Daniel reportedly locked him inside their home and subjected him to a brutal beating before applying the pepper to the fresh cuts, an act that has ignited widespread condemnation and concern.
The motive behind the attack appears to stem from accusations of theft made against the child. However, the community has expressed outrage at the inhumane treatment, demanding swift justice.
The case is currently being investigated by officers at the Liberia National Police’s Turning Point Depot in Johnsonville.
Despite this, some community members have raised concerns with Verity News, alleging that the suspect may be attempting to obstruct the investigation.
In response, residents are calling on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to urgently intervene. They are demanding immediate medical care and psychosocial support for the child, along with firm legal action against the alleged perpetrator.
“This kind of cruelty cannot go unpunished,” one resident said. “We are relying on the government to protect this child and ensure the perpetrator is held accountable.”
Meanwhile, child rights advocates and civil society groups are calling for stronger enforcement of Liberia’s child protection laws to prevent future incidents of such brutal abuse in communities across the country.
