Ozone Park couple charged with starving 12-year-old daughter: DA

A couple from Ozone Park was hit with multiple counts of assault and child endangerment Tuesday after Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said they allegedly starved and brutally beat their now 12-year-old daughter over the past two years.

Sheetal and Rajesh Ranot of 96th Street in Ozone Park were accused of starving and beating their 12-year-old daughter Maya Ranot between December 2012 and July 2014, including one instance in which they allegedly hit her with a broken metal broom handle, cutting her wrist to the bone, Brown said. They were both arrested late last month and remained in jail waiting on their next court date, the DA said.

Criminal charges alleged that Sheetal Ranot repeatedly hit the child, who was her stepdaughter, about her body and face – often causing bruising and pain. She also locked her inside her bedroom and refused to feed her several times between Dec. 1, 2012 and May 6, 2014, Brown said. The DA outlined one alleged incident in which the stepmother even kicked the child in the face while wearing shoes, causing bruising, swelling and pain.

A second occasion, Brown said, also included an instance in which the stepmom beat the child with a broken metal broom handle and cut her wrist and right knee on May 6, 2013. Emergency responders found her in a pool of blood before taking the 12-year-old in for surgery, Brown said. Another incident was recorded on April 16, when the stepmom beat her into the hospital again, where doctors found she weighted only 58 pounds and appeared malnourished, Brown said.

“The criminal charges allege that this young victim was subjected to years of unspeakable physical abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother – including being locked in her bedroom by her stepmother without food or water for extended periods of time and forced to take cold showers while her father hit her about her body with his hands and even a baseball bat,” Brown said. “Despite the bruising and scarring on her body which served as a silent testament to the violence and cruelty she purportedly endured, it is alleged that for a long time this emaciated child was fearful of disclosing the true nature of her injuries or those responsible for her suffering for fear that her younger step-siblings would be taken away by authorities and placed in foster care. Fortunately, she found the courage to speak up.”

The girl’s father Rajesh Ranot was also accused of beating the 12-year-old about her body with his hands, feet, a belt and even a baseball bat on separate occasions between Dec. 1 2012 and May 6, 2014. Brown said he would lock her inside her bedroom without food or water for extended periods of time and force her to take cold showers. On March 31, 2014, he allegedly beat her with a baseball bat on the head, Brown said.

“I am deeply grateful to the Child Protective Specialists and Investigative Consultants, whose diligence and professionalism saved the life of this young girl and ensured that she and her siblings were removed from this home and are now safe from further abuse,” said city Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “This horrific case highlights the necessity of, and reinforces our commitment to, collaborating with our partner city agencies, provider agencies and community organizations to ensure that New York City children remain safe.”

Sheetal Ranot faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, while her husband Rajesh faces up to seven, the district attorney said.

 

By Phil Corso

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