SlaveryMap

Suwanee, Georgia, United States

Bidemi Bello, a 41 year old citizen of Nigeria, separately recruited two young women from Nigeria and brought them her home in Suwanee to work as her nanny with the promise of putting them through school. Instead, she forced them to work as her unpaid servants, forcing them to chores by hand, despite having modern appliances. She would make them do things such as cutting the lawn using a knife, and regularly beat them. The young women said Bello beat them with a large wooden spoon, shoes, electric cords and with her hands. Despite living in an upscale home that had multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, Bello made the young women sleep on the floor or a couch. She also would not let them use the shower, but instead required them to bathe with water from a bucket.

Location
United States · Suwanee, Georgia · 2010 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
Yes, Bello was arrested and convicted on eight counts. Sentencing is set for 24 August 2011. Bello faces a maximum of 35 years in prison and fines totalling $750,000. One of the woman eventually managed to save up $60, given to her by some of Bello's friends. She took a cab to a church where she was assisted by the pastor. - "Neighbours Heard Screams, Whipping Inside Home", http://www.wsbtv.com/news/28207092/detail.html - "Bidemi Bello, US Based Nigerian Woman convicted of forcing nannies into slavery", http://www.nigeriadailynews.com/latest-additions/21194-bidemi-bello-us-based-nigerian-woman-convicted-of-forcing-nannies-into-slavery.html - "Woman convicted of forcing nannies into slavery", http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/196548/58/Woman-convicted-of-forcing-nannies-into-slavery

Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). Use “Report a problem” below to add a source or flag an issue.

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