In 1998, the search was on for the parents of a disabled girl who had left her to starve in the family home, according to an article in The Fiji Times on June 8 of that year.

Raijieli Waqavolau’s parents had left for Suva, a few weeks before, without providing the 17-year-old food or water.

On the night of June 7, they still had not returned to their home at Garampani, 12 kilometres from Tavua.

Police were expected to travel to Suva to find her parents on June 8.

Raijieli was only found the previous week when the nearest neighbour had decided to pay a courtesy call.

Social Welfare officers were concerned about Raijieli’s safety because her house was in an area which was a hideout for criminals.

Raijieli stayed alone in complete darkness at night.

She couldn’t walk or stand and had to crawl about.

The nearest house was about 100 metres away.

On June 7, she was outside her house and gave the details of her ordeal to Social Welfare Officer Tavua/Nadarivatu Kolinio Ulakia.

Raijieli said her parents had not returned and no relatives had come to visit.

Her condition was such that she could not hold a bottle of water herself.

Mr Ulakia said the case was reported to his office the previous week by community nurses who were informed of Raijieli’s plight by a resident of Garampani.

“I then went and visited the child and confirmed that she has been abandoned and neglected with no supervision,” Mr Ulakia said.

“She was locked in the house. We managed to locate the key and provide food and water to her. I have also alerted her immediate family members but so far, no one has turned up.

“There was no food ration or anything for Raijieli to survive on when I visited her after receiving the report.”

Mr Ulakia said Raijieli had not eaten for a number of days until she was discovered.

Neighbours were visiting her with food and water.

“I have also submitted my report to the Director of Social Welfare for next course of action,” he said.

“Our main worry is that being a female with disabilities, Raijieli’s parents have failed in their responsibility to provide care and protection for her for the last three to four weeks.

“The area is unsafe with some criminal activities taking place every now and then.”

The Social Welfare Department was to help Raijieli in the meantime.

Her nearest neighbour, Litia Matamalumu, said the girl’s parents left in May to visit their married daughter.

“They said nothing about Raijieli,” Ms Matamalumu said.

“There is no electricity in the house and she stays alone at night.

“She cannot walk and there’s no way she can lock the door of the house when she goes to sleep.

“I come here every day to give her food and water. I get the water from my home to bathe her and clean the house.”

Tavua police chief ASP Isimeli Waikelokelo said he had received a report.

“We have sent a message to Nasinu police and it seems the girl’s parents are somewhere there and are coming down to Tavua later today.”

ASP Waikelokelo said Raijieli’s parents were to be questioned by police.

He could not say whether charges would be laid.