MILAN — Ashli Ford and Elsebeth Baumgartner are promoting themselves on social media with photos of a 5-year-old rape victim in an ambulance shortly after she was attacked in September.
Neither Ford nor Baumgartner provided the child any anonymity or privacy, as generally required by state law. Victims have a right to privacy under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC 2907.11).
“Cleveland police investigating allegations that a 5-year-old was gang-raped by kids 10 and under,” Baumgartner wrote Tuesday on her Facebook page, linking her post to Ford’s account. “Ashli Ford is advocating for the family.”
Baumgartner also linked to posts that include descriptions of the assault and photos showing the girl with hair ripped from her scalp. Another linked post — allegedly from the child’s mother — includes the child’s school photo.
“I have accepted this case,” Ford wrote on Facebook beneath the same images. “I appreciate the faith people have in me when they suggest me to families.”
Cleveland police dismissed Ford’s assertions.
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