“She Was Kept in a Chicken Coop”: Grandmother, 72, Arrested for Torturing Granddaughter in Ivory Coast.
A disturbing case of child abuse has come to light in the central Ivorian city of Bouaké, where a 72-year-old woman has been taken into custody for allegedly torturing her 11-year-old granddaughter in the name of spiritual deliverance.
According to police reports, the elderly woman kept the child locked inside a chicken coop, dressed only in a rice sack, and subjected her to repeated beatings. The girl, who had been in her grandmother’s care since the age of 10, was found in a malnourished state with visible signs of physical deformity from the prolonged abuse.
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Authorities moved in after receiving a tip from someone in the community. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the teenager in conditions that one source described as unfit for any human being, let alone a young child.
Neighbors who spoke to local media said the grandmother claimed she was trying to “deliver” the girl from evil spirits. This explanation has done little to calm the anger of those who have seen images of the child’s condition circulating on social media.
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In photos taken after her rescue, the girl appears thin and weak, with marks on her body suggesting she had been beaten over a long period of time. She was immediately taken to a hospital where she is currently receiving both medical and psychological care.
The arrest has raised a difficult question among residents of Bouaké: what kind of punishment is suitable for a woman who has already lived most of her life?
Some locals argue that age should not protect anyone from facing justice, especially when a child’s well-being was at stake. Others wonder if the court will take her age into consideration when passing judgment.
“Seventy-two is not too old to know right from wrong,” said one woman living near the family. “She knew exactly what she was doing. That child suffered for months.”
Legal experts say that while age may be a factor during sentencing, the seriousness of the charges means the grandmother could still face a lengthy prison term if convicted.
Authorities have confirmed that the girl is no longer with her grandmother and is receiving the care she needs. Officials say they are committed to ensuring her safety and helping her recover from the trauma she endured.
The case has also sparked wider conversations about the dangers of using spiritual beliefs to justify harming children. Child protection advocates are calling on communities to speak up when they see children being mistreated, regardless of the reasons given by caregivers.
The grandmother remains in police custody pending further investigation. She is expected to be charged in the coming days as the legal process moves forward.
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