Police Say Lions Guarded Abducted Girl
A 12-year-old girl who was abducted and beaten by seven men trying to force her into a marriage was found being guarded by three lions who apparently chased off her captors, a policeman said.
She was beaten repeatedly before she was found June 9 by police and relatives on the outskirts of Bita Genet, about 350 miles southwest of Addis Ababa, the capital.
She had been guarded by the lions for about half a day, Sgt. Wondimu Wedajo said.
“They stood guard until we found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest,” Wondimu said.
Tilahun Kassa, a local government official, corroborated Wondimu’s version of events.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
