Three women caretakers from the Kerala State Child Welfare Committee (CWC) have been arrested after a two-and-a-half-year-old girl was injured by them for wetting the bed. The incident, which was not reported to authorities, came to light when staff noticed injuries on the child’s private parts. Medical examination confirmed the injuries were caused by pinching.
The arrested caretakers—Ajitha (49), Maheshwari (43), and Sindhu (47)—were on duty when the abuse occurred. All of them were contractual employees, and their services have been terminated by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare (KSCCW). The child, along with her five-year-old sister, was placed under the CWC’s care after the tragic death of their mother and the suicide of their father.
Following the discovery, KSCCW General Secretary GL Arun Gopi alerted the police, leading to an investigation. The caretakers were charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and other relevant sections. They have been sent to judicial custody after appearing in court.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of children in institutional care, with authorities emphasizing that such abuse should not occur in facilities housing vulnerable children. Legal action has been initiated against the accused, and a detailed probe is underway.
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