A 13-year-old boy from the UK has taken legal action against his parents, accusing them of “brutally” sending him to Africa and enrolling him in a boarding school after concerns over his alleged involvement in gangs.
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The teenager, whose identity is protected, claims that his parents abandoned him emotionally and physically by taking him from the UK to an African school without warning or consultation.
The boy’s parents, worried about his safety due to suspected gang associations in London, sent him abroad in an attempt to protect him.
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However, the teenager vehemently denies any involvement in gangs. His legal team has argued that the move was a harsh abandonment, with the boy left in an unfamiliar and potentially harmful environment.
At a hearing that began on November 26, the boy’s lawyers requested that a judge order his return to the UK, where he has lived since birth.
They described his placement as “inadequate,” with reports of mistreatment, poor food, and subpar education.
The boy was also said to feel humiliated, especially as his friends in the UK mocked him for being “deported.”
His lawyer, Deirdre Fottrell KC, emphasized the psychological and emotional harm the boy had suffered, calling his parents’ actions “extraordinary.”
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The boy was described in court as polite and articulate, with a passion for football and cooking.
His parents, however, argue that sending him to Africa was an act of parental responsibility, fearing his involvement in criminal activities.
His father’s lawyer, Rebecca Foulkes, pointed to his troubling behavior in the UK, including late arrivals to school and suspicions of criminal activities.
She argued that Africa offered a safer environment for the boy, with education and care suited to his needs.
The case, still ongoing, highlights the clash between parental authority and a child’s right to stay in their home country. The judge, Mr. Justice Hayden, is expected to make a decision after further hearings.
