By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
A man was arrested and charged in Lae five days ago for the alleged sexual abuse of his 14 year old stepdaughter and the murder of his wife. The wife’s body was found at the tidal basin last week Sunday and was identified by the daughter. Lae Police Sexual Offense Squad later found out that the suspect sexually abused the 14 year old girl twice.
According to police, a missing persons report was placed last week using the toll free number. This was after the suspect reported to community leaders that his wife went missing earlier that day. The community conducted a search but did not find her. The wife’s relatives suspected that the husband was involved in her disappearance and reported this to the 3 Mile police, and he was detained at the Lae Central Police Station for police to conduct investigations and also to keep him there for his safety.
The wife’s body was later found at the tidal basin last week Sunday and was identified by the woman’s 14 year old daughter.
The sexual offence squad conducted investigations and also found that the 14 year old was sexually abused by her stepfather twice last month. She told police that the suspect tried to poison her mother’s food four times.
The 14 year old victim is one of the prime witnesses in the events leading to her mother’s death. Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Commander, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, is also calling for other witnesses to come forward to assist police in the investigation.
The suspect appeared at the Lae District Court for mention last week Friday.
Two weeks ago, a school principal of a private run school located at Papuan Compound in Lae, was arrested and charged for alleged sexual penetration on a 10-year old girl. According to the Lae’s Sexual Offense Squad, sexual abuse cases, especially on minors, have increased since 2017.
