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UNSPLASH
The girl said the man burned her hand, made her eat rotten food and vomit, threw her against a wall and beat her in various ways. (File photo)
The couple caring for a girl who accused her husband of abuse say they still love her and don’t blame her for what happened.
But the man’s wife believes the situation could have been avoided with more support from Oranga Tamariki, who says he is “committed to learning from this case.”
The family cannot be named, to avoid identifying the girl who came to them in early 2017 after Oranga Tamariki examined him.
In mid-2019, she told a specialized child interviewer that the man burned her hand with hot water, made her eat rotten food and vomit, threw her against a wall, and beat her in various ways.
But all six abuse and assault charges were dropped Tuesday after a trial with just one judge in Hamilton District Court.
Speaking later, the man’s wife said that they still loved the girl and did not blame her.
“She had been through a lot before we caught her,” the man said.
“Oranga Tamariki must be very careful about how they treat their caregivers,” the woman said.
“They can destroy homes when they do these things.”
In court, the woman said she had expressed various concerns about the girl’s behavior and did not get the support she wanted.
Lawrence Smith / Stuff
Oranga Tamariki is “committed to learning from this case,” Deputy Executive Director of Care Services Trish Langridge said in a statement.
Oranga Tamariki could have better supported the caregivers and children involved, said Deputy Executive Director for Care Services Trish Langridge.
“I am committed to learning from this case,” she said in a statement.
He thanked the boy for speaking and said the organization would provide appropriate support.
Caregivers opened their homes to children with high and complex needs, he said, and had various supports available.
They include a dedicated service created in 2019, free access to counseling since July, and specialized training opportunities on behavioral issues or trauma from partner organizations.
Judge Robert Spear said that during the trial it was clear that the girl was in trouble, but that the couple did everything possible to help her.
The trial was not a credibility contest, she said, and the girl gave firm and clear evidence and was not discouraged when the defense suggested that her accusations were not correct.
But the man had completely denied all the allegations, supported by evidence from his wife.
The prosecution had a responsibility to prove the abuse and ill-treatment, he said.
Based on the evidence, he could not be sure of his guilt on any of the charges and dismissed all of them.
