On June 10, members of the US 82nd Airborne Division found 24 boys, between the ages of 3 to 15, were found in a Baghdad orphanage.  Some boys were found tied to their beds, while others were found lying in their own waste.  One of the boys was so emaciated that army medics did not believe that he would survive.  When he was found, he was so weak that the only thing that he could move was his eyes.

The boys were found in a government ran orphanage for boys with special needs (i.e. physical or mental disabilities).  The boys were found naked and emaciated while build held a fully stocked kitchen and shelves filled with new clothes.  It was thought that the supplies meant of the children were being sold at the local market.

The manager of the orphanage has fled and is believe to be on the run.  Two female caretakers have also fled.  So far, only two security guards have been arrested.

Currently, the boys are recovering in an orphanage located only minutes away from where they were abused.

For more information please see:
International Herald Tribune:  “Heavy fighting as US troops squeeze insurgents in Iraq city”  21 June 2007. 

CBS: “Recovering Iraqi Orphans Face Bleak Future”  20 June 2007. 

CNN:  “Two dozen orphans mistreated in Iraq, officials say”  20 June 2007. 

Middle East Online:  “Appalling scenes in Iraq orphanage”  20 June 2007. 

BBC:  “US finds neglected Iraqi Orphans”  19 June 2007. 

CBS:  “Iraqi Orphanage Nightmare”  18 June 2007.