A 9-year-old Rezina girl was hospitalized on Wednesday after her uncle flogged her with a rubber cable to punish the girl for staining her dress, Info-Prim Neo reports. Maria Popovici, head of the department for minors at the Interiors Ministry, told reporters that the girl has been in his uncle's custody since her mother left to find a job abroad 5 years ago. As there haven't been heard from the mother for quite a while, the girl's uncle remained her only support. “The girl was playing with her peers and stained the dress she was wearing. When she came home, her uncle beat her very hard. The girl was admitted to hospital. If the doctors find the injuries to be severe, the man will face criminal proceedings”, said Maria Popovici. After receiving treatment at the hospital the girl will be placed with a community center. Then, with the help of the guardianship authorities, it will be decided where she will go next. The man who hurt the girl has a son of his own, aged 8. In the first 5 months of this year the police started proceedings in 192 cases of child abuse, including 45 cases of sexual abuse. In 4 cases the victims died.