Police investigating suspected rape of 9-year-old girl by 4 boys

A woman in central Israel filed a police complaint alleging the rape of her 9-year-old daughter by four boys, according to a Wednesday report.

The oldest of the accused rapists is 14, according to Channel 12. The other suspects are 11 and 12 years old.

The woman filed the complaint some two weeks ago, the report said.

Police arrested the suspects as part of the initial investigation. The 14-year-old was initially held on court order before being released to house arrest.

Police also collected evidence from the three other boys. All four of the suspects denied involvement.

Sources close to the girl’s mother criticized police conduct, telling Channel 12 that officers went to the family’s home at night to take testimony in a way that was traumatic to the girl.

“We’re talking about a 9-year-old girl. There’s no reason to send uniformed men to her in the middle of the night,” they said.

The report said the officers later changed into civilian clothes to speak to the girl in a more non-threatening manner.

Police said, “The investigation was handled in a thorough and sensitive manner. Investigators and pediatricians worked in a thorough manner. Investigatory materials were transferred to prosecutors.”

The girl’s lawyer, Kinneret Barashi, who is representing her pro bono, said, “This is a difficult case. If we have reached a point where there is a suspicion of serious sexual offense by children of these ages, it is a slippery slope that reflects the reality we are living in.”