Phu Tho authorities investigate stepmother abuse of 14-year-old girl

Authorities in Vinh Thanh Commune, Phu Tho Province, are investigating an incident involving the physical abuse of a 14-year-old girl by her stepmother, Nguyen Thi Q. The investigation was triggered after video footage surfaced on October 3, showing the stepmother grabbing the girl's hair and pulling her to the floor.

Nguyen Thi Q. admitted to hitting the child with her hands, citing exhaustion and anger over unorganized clothing as the immediate cause. She acknowledged a history of verbal reprimands and physical discipline, such as hitting the girl's buttocks, but denied causing a previous head injury reported by the child. The stepmother has signed a commitment to cease all physical and mental abuse.

The victim, who has lived with her stepmother since age five, reported a pattern of fear and previous injuries, including a head wound caused by a spiked rod. Her grandmother noted that the girl often hid bruises by claiming she fell. Following the incident, the girl has moved in with her paternal grandparents, though she remains fearful of her stepmother.