Warning: This post contains details of child abuse and the content may be distressing for some readers.
A Ugandan nanny has admitted torturing a toddler when the child refused to eat, in a case that shocked the country after a video of the abuse was made public.
Jolly Tumuhiirwe, 22, faces up to 15 years in prison for the crime.
The baby’s worried parents installed a security camera at their home after noticing their daughter was bruised and limping.
They were shocked to find they had filmed the nanny pushing the 18-month-old baby girl to the floor.
She then kicked the child’s face and stomach before putting her entire weight on the girl’s back, and then dragged her out the room apparently unconscious.
The disturbing video has been seen or shared hundreds of thousands of times on social media, sparking outrage.
After her arrest, police said the nanny would be charged for attempted murder, but in court on Monday faced only torture charges.
State prosecutor Joyce Tushabe said Tumuhiirwe, who had no lawyer, “was remorseful” in court.
“She said she was sorry for the act,” Mr Tushabe said.
“She asked for forgiveness from the parents of the child, the nation, and those she said were affected by her acts.”
Tumuhiirwe was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Wednesday.
The toddler has made a full recovery.
ABC/AFP
If this brings up issues for you please contact the Child Abuse Prevention line on 1800 688 009, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
This post was originally published on ABC News and is republished with full permission.
Top Comments
I always wonder about people who put up cameras because they think something bad is going on, thereby subjecting their child to further of the abuse they suspect is happening. Sure it gave the father evidence, and got him off a brutal violent offence, but I'm guessing that the limp and the bruises weren't the only hint that something bad was happening. How long had this child been in the care of this woman before the cameras went up? And before anyone says you can't automatically assume that bruising and limping from a child is the result of abuse, I get this, but again I say, he suspected abuse but still went off to work and left the girl to endure it.
I completely agree with this. The nanny could have easily killed that child. Quite frankly after watching the video, I'm surprised the child wasn't hospitalised with broken ribs or ruptured spleen. It's really shocking that the parents knowingly left the child to be treated this way. What if the child died as a result of their curiosity?
Oh god. I unintentionally watched this video without knowing what it was a few days ago. It Wad horrendous. I felt physically ill. It genuinely made my mind go white hot with rage. If I'd seen that video before the police I would've killed her. Actually. Painfully. She deserves everything she food to that child and more. It is horrific
Like I said the father of the little girl, beat the "Nanny" within an inch of her life and put her in a wheelchair!!!