Step-mother denies abuse of girl, 12, in critical condition: report

The stepmother of a 12-year old abused girl denies having abused her, her lawyer, Mark Raaijmakers, told Omroep West. The girl was taken to hospital in critical condition last week. Petra T., 34, and the child's father were both arrested last week. Neighbours of the family have reported witnessing abuse of the girl and her brother for years, with several saying they had notified authorities. Raaijmakers states that his client denies all the abuse accusations and does not understand why she is being held in custody. "She is continuously asking about how the girl and rest of the family are doing. In short, there seems to be more things to play a role in this case," says the lawyer. Raaijmakers feels that media has created a one-sided image of the family and therefore all the parties need to be questioned properly. The Youth Care Inspectorate is investigating the abuse. Police is conducting its own research as well.