The 7-year-old victim of a gang-rape in Trenton’s Rowan Towers has been moved to a safe house outside of the city, according to Mayor Doug Palmer.
“Just say that they are going to be all right where they are,” Palmer told The Trentonian today.
Palmer met the victim Thursday at City Hall during a visit with her mother and several siblings.
“I was surprised but glad that they came to see me. I didn’t have any knowledge of their visit, but it was great to see that little girl. I’m happy that they reached out to me,” Palmer said.
He said the girls’ mother made the unannounced visit after being hounded by local residents, politicians and even a drug dealer.
“The mother said she was at the store and a guy told her, ‘It’s because of you all of these police are around here. I can’t swing my drugs anymore,’ ” Palmer said.
Police said numerous men raped or sexually assaulted the 7-year-old and her 15-year-old stepsister in a 13th-floor apartment at Rowan Towers, a West State Street high-rise building. The assaults occurred during a party, which included many attendees who do not live in the building.
Until tonight, only 20-year-old Gregory Leary, had been charged with the rape of the 15-year-old.
But at 6 o’clock, the Trenton Police Department announced the arrests of four more suspects, including three teens — ages 17, 14 and 13. Timear Lewis, 19, is the second adult in custody, charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
The mayor said he assembled staff members connected with local health agencies who contacted numerous associates in an effort to “find them all of the professional help that they are going to need.
“This family is dealing with so much. We’re going to make sure that they receive all the help that they need to start putting their lives back together.”
The impromptu meeting occurred in the office of Renee Haynes, Palmer’s chief of staff, while officials scrambled to discuss family plans — including finding home schooling for the rape victim.
Several people attending today’s city’s Easter Egg hunt at Cadwalader Park described the 7-year-old victim as “extremely bright.”
“You should hear this little girl talk. Nobody would ever think that she was just 7,” one man said.
The Trenton Housing Authority, Housing and Urban Development and city school system pitched in to make arrangements for the family, according to Palmer.
Long term plans include permanently moving this family out of Trenton.
Palmer admitted difficulty in thinking about the rape of this 7-year-old.
“I’ve got my own little girl at home. I try not to go there with my thoughts,” he said.
Palmer said he gave the 7-year-old girl a small, pink Easter Rabbit and she offered a “funny” remark which he would not divulge.
“I hugged her. She is just a beautiful, intelligent, little girl,” Palmer said.
“This is a heart wrenching story and right now would be a good time for Trenton residents to pray for this family and stop placing blame on family members. The only people we need to blame are these pathetic pedophile rapists.”
Source:Trentonian.com/L.A. PARKER
