The Saudi woman telephoned the NSHR to say she could hear loud screams of a young girl from the home of a neighboring Egyptian family in the Al-Salamah district of the city. The NSHR then assigned Matouq Al-Sharif to investigate the claim.

Al-Sharif first visited the district mayor of Al-Salamah who was unavailable and then met neighbors who confirmed what the Saudi woman had reported. He then met the child’s father who allowed him to enter his home.

“When the girl was brought, she had obvious burns and bruises all over her body,” said Al-Sharif, adding that he then learned that the child’s mother was the one torturing her. The father then revealed that his wife was mentally ill and on medicine.

The NSHR then appointed a psychiatrist, Dr. Muhammad Al-Hamid, to examine the girl and the mother and determine whether she is capable of looking after her.

Al-Hamid has been asked to prepare a report which will be submitted to the NSHR’s chairman who will decide whether to take the matter to the police or advise the father to send his wife and child to Egypt, especially since he does not have a steady income.

The NSHR said it is still following up on the case using its female social workers.