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Police arrest parents of Liberian rape victim for child abuse

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by Marissa Wingate / Natalie Rivers / 3TV

Posted on November 20, 2009 at 6:38 PM

Updated Friday, Nov 20 at 9:32 PM

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PHOENIX -- Phoenix police arrested the parents of an 8-year-old Liberian girl who was allegedly gang raped in July.

On Friday police served arrest warrants for Hemie Dio, 59, and Wedeh Dio, 47, for numerous counts of child abuse. Officers waited for them to come home from work and then arrested them as they got out of their car.

Hemie Dio yelled at a 3TV reporter who was there while he was being arrested; Wedeh Dio said nothing.

Both parents are charged with seven counts of child abuse. Police say they used sticks, wires, even their fists to hit their daughter. Witnesses say they often left their daughter wandering the apartment complex alone at night, begging for food.

Police say that on July 16, the girl was lured her into a vacant storage shed behind an apartment near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road by a group of boys, who offered her some chewing gum. There police say she was raped by four boys.

At the time of the incident Child Protective Services removed the victim from the custody of her parents, who, according to detectives, blamed her for being victimized and bringing shame to their family.

Back when the incident happened Hemie Dio told 3TV that he wanted his daughter back, police said he told them he didn't.

The 8-year-old girl remains in CPS custody. CPS is trying to determine what to do with the couple's several other children.

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lucy1025 said on November 20, 2009 at 8:31 PM

It's not an isolated case in "Their Country" They (the parents) were going on their beliefs. However, when you come to "This" country you have to abide by "OUR RULES". Which, is probably why they came here to begin with! Like the Father who ran over his own daughter because she became "Westernized". You CAN'T have your cake and eat it too!

wxwidow said on November 21, 2009 at 6:57 AM

lucy1025....You took the words right out of my mouth. Why are we expected to change our laws because it's the way things are done in "THEIR" country?

fostermom said on November 21, 2009 at 8:02 AM

The remaining children should probably be removed too, but CPS would probably have to separate them and that can be very traumatic, too. Unfortunately, there are over 10,000 kids in foster care now and only 3,000 homes. Where are they to go? You don't have to be married to be a foster partent. You just need to have space in your home and your heart. The state needs foster homes. Won't you apply?

thesail12 said on November 22, 2009 at 11:42 AM

I find it repulsive that women and children are blamed for "enticing" someone to rape them? I do think everyone has a right to their religion and beliefs but to make women cover up because MEN can not have the mental capability to determine what is right and wrong.

eschneider said on November 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

I don't care if the victim was 8, 16, or 26 or whatever. If the child was raped, it is the parents' responsibility to love her UNCONDITIONALLY, no matter what happens.