- US couple fined for child abuse
- Guilty plea; severe charges dismissed
- Concerns about child adoption
A Ugandan court has fined a couple from the United States of America ($28,000; £23,000) for child maltreatment and “inhumane treatment” of their 10-year-old foster child. They pleaded guilty to the charges, which led to the dismissal of more severe accusations, including child trafficking and torture, which carried a potential life sentence.
Nicholas and Mackenzie Spencer accepted the charges as part of a plea deal. Authorities accused them of child trafficking and torture, offenses with possible life sentences.
The couple placed the boy to bed on a wooden platform and provided him with cold food.
Inhumane Treatment and Conditions
Local police were notified in December by the boy’s carer regarding the “repeated unbecoming inhumane treatment” that he endured. The boy has special needs.
Before their detention last year, the boy had resided with the couple, who were both from South Carolina, for a duration of two years.
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Additionally, they entered guilty pleas for charges of degrading treatment, engaging in unlawful labor, and unlawfully remaining in Uganda without proper authorization.
Compensation for the Victim
They were convicted of this offense and received a two-month prison sentence, which began one year after their apprehension.
Furthermore, High Court judge Alice Kyomuhangi ordered them to compensate the victim with 100 million Ugandan shillings (approximately £22,000 or $26,000).
Concerns and Calls for Preventative Measures
“Being orphaned by his own mother and having lost his father, the child was in dire need of assistance and support.” “Unfortunately, the defendant was unable to control his peculiar behavior,” the judge stated in her ruling.
The couple’s attorney, David Mpanga, told Reuters that the boy had psychiatric issues and that they failed to adequately care for him due to their lack of parenting experience.
In Uganda, where they relocated in 2017 to become volunteers, the couple raised three children.
Some Ugandan child rights activists have also characterized this case as an affront to justice.
AFP reports that activist Proscovia Najjumba questioned how the couple could “walk away” after admitting they “mistreated a child.”
Darren Namatovou, the founder of Phoenix Children Foundation, stated that conducting exhaustive background checks and due diligence throughout the adoption process is necessary to prevent instances of child abuse.
In Uganda, international adoptions are contentious.
The law was toughened earlier this year to close a weakness the authorities alleged was used for child trafficking.
