Someone knows who gang-raped 7-year-old, NJ officials say, but retaliation fears impede case

Retaliation fears slow NJ case of gang-raped child

TRENTON, N.J. — Mayor Douglas Palmer is pleading with residents of a downtrodden neighborhood in Trenton, N.J., to come forward with information on the recent gang rape of a 7-year-old girl.

Palmer says people around the Rowan Tower apartments, where the rape took place, have not come forward in the past with information.

He cites a reward offered for help in the 2009 drive-by shooting death of a 13-year-old girl.

Police say a 15-year-old girl went to a party at the building March 28 and offered her younger stepsister’s body for sale to a group of grown men.

Police arrested a 20-year-old Trenton man Wednesday on allegations of having sex with the 15-year-old, but they believe at least seven other men who were involved are still at large.