An 11-year-old girl from Vendipalayam was rescued from alleged prolonged abuse by her stepmother in Erode district, following complaints from neighbours.According to police, the stepmother repeatedly tortured the girl. She branded the child with a hot spoon, poured hot water on her and physically assaulted her on multiple occasions.She also threatened the girl and told her to end her life. The girl’s father married the accused after separating from his first wife; the child and her younger sister are from his first marriage.The neighbours, who frequently heard the girl’s cries, visited the house, discovered the alleged abuse and alerted Childline at 1098.Acting on the information, officials from the Department of Child Welfare, along with personnel from the All Women Police Station, rescued the girl and arrested the stepmother.The woman was produced before a court, which remanded her on Saturday. She was lodged at the Coimbatore Central Prison.The police said further investigation was under way, including an inquiry with the girl’s father. Published - July 05, 2026 06:35 pm IST