Marrakech Couple Sentenced to 15 Years for Fatal Child Abuse of 5-Year-Old Niece

The facts took place on September 14, 2020 in Marrakech. A local authority agent from the douar where a couple lived had called the gendarmerie elements to inform them of the suspicious death of a five-year-old girl in her aunt’s home, reports Al Ahdath Al Maghribia. Upon arrival at the couple’s home, they found the lifeless body of the little girl on a bench. There were injuries, signs of blows and especially recent burns on the victim’s body.

Questioned, the 22-year-old wife claimed that the death of her niece was natural. She said the little girl may have fallen on her head and that in any case, she suffered from epileptic seizures. Her husband, a repeat offender slightly older than her, told the investigators that the 5-year-old minor had fallen while playing on the motorcycle. He also admitted to hitting her with a pipe to make her stop urinating in his bed at night.

Subsequently, an autopsy was performed. The coroner concluded that the death was due to internal hemorrhage in the skull, multiple fractures in the arm and spine, and completely damaged kidneys. The autopsy results clearly proved that the couple’s allegations were false. Tried for the crime of assault and battery resulting in the death of a minor, the two spouses were sentenced to 15 years in prison at first instance. A sentence that will be confirmed by the Court of Appeal of Marrakech.