Family acquaintance sentenced for child sexual abuse; mother recounts shocking discovery
A 28-year-old man in Estonia has been sentenced to 11 years for repeatedly sexually abusing children. The mother of one victim describes how trust turned into horror.
On July 2, the Viru County Court in Estonia found a 28-year-old man guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing children. One of the victims was an 11-year-old girl. If the verdict stands, the man will serve 11 years in prison.
The mother of the abused girl shared her story, emphasizing that evil can come from the most unexpected places. The family lives in a small Estonian village, and they knew the convicted man well. The mother said he was always helpful and polite – they celebrated midsummer and birthdays together, and on Women's Day he gave flowers to both her and her daughters. She trusted and even respected him.
The abuse began in the summer of 2023 but was only discovered a year later. The girl's behavior initially changed: an e-cigarette was found in her school bag, her grades dropped, she became withdrawn and avoided eye contact. Once an energetic and cheerful child, she started eating late at night, wearing dark baggy clothes, and wearing makeup. Later, it turned out that she was hiding self-harm scars under her clothes.
The mother noted that her daughter feared the perpetrator would also harm her younger sister. After the incident, the girl changed completely – from a bold and open child to a withdrawn and anxious one.
