Child’s life in danger
A publication in previous editions of 168 Hours wrote about Anahit Harutyunyan’s family, residing at Dro 62, Kanaker-Zeitun community of Yerevan. During our visit Anahit’s grandchild, two-year old Alen was in a very bad situation as he was hungry and changed the color of his face because of the cold temperature. The child’s mother was not at home. During the visit the journalist also captured the pile of empty alcohol bottles under the kitchen table. In answer to a question whether there was any alcohol addicted in their home, the grandma, who has epilepsy and takes drugs, said no and said that she had collected the bottles from streets to sell for money. After the story was published in the newspaper, many people brought clothes, food and furniture to the child’s family.
A facebook page was launched entitled “Let’s save Alen” and the activists of this group visited him to help, feed and take care of him. However, it is the second time these young people find Alen’s mother drunk during their visits. While his mother was drinking alcohol, the little child was moaning of the pain of his frozen hands. The activists of this facebook group also found other people drinking alcohol with Alen’s mother, Narine. Neighbors said that the apartment of these people had become a spot for alcoholics and prostitutes, and that Alen had to be taken out of there asap. “Save the child; poor child,” said the neighbors.
Yesterday 168’s journalist visited Alen again, and witnessed his mother coming back home in drunk condition again. The child’s hands were injured, bloody and there was a bruise on his cheek. The journalist had to call the police. When they discussed the issue of taking Alen to orphanage, the mother said she would kill herself. It turned out that the police people had been in their place several months before, but their visit had been connected with a crime of stabbing someone. What will be the future of this child? Should this child be taken to orphanage or he should stay with his alcoholic mother and sick grandmother, in permanent life-threatening danger.
