The father of a 10-year-old girl who died last month at their home near Tokyo forced her to write a letter stating he did not hit her so that she would be returned home, a child welfare center said Tuesday, revealing more apparent missteps by authorities in protecting her life.
The father, Yuichiro Kurihara, presented the letter written by his daughter Mia in February last year when the welfare center was considering whether the girl — who was residing with a relative to escape suspected abuse by him — should return home, according to the center.
"I lied that I had been hit by my father. I said that to my elementary school teacher without thinking and caused lot of trouble to my father, mother, sister" and the relative, the letter signed by the girl reads. "I am sorry."