February 11, 2009 3:47 PM
- Text
Two Rescued Iraqi Orphans Die
(CBS)
It was a bittersweet reunion for U.S. soldiers when they returned to a Baghdad home for special-needs children after the recent death of two boys.
They were among a group of 24 whose lives the soldiers believed they had saved when they rescued them from a nearby state-run orphanage this summer.
As first reported on CBS News, the boys were found naked, bound and starving to death, while the kitchen down the hallway was packed with unopened food and piles of brand new clothing sat unused, CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports.
One boy, Saddam Ali Abbas, was the first to die shortly after his rescue.
Now, some five months later, two more boys are dead from cholera they contracted while under state care:
Thirteen-year-old Ismail Garib, who loved to show-off and interact with the soldiers.
And Omar Thanoon, whose name is the only detail orphanage officials have for him.
Staff Sgt. Mitchell Gibson - part of the original rescue team - was shocked at the deaths and condition of the boys today: "They deserve to live and they deserve to have a happy life and at this rate I don't see these kids having a happy life."
"Well if they keep dying at the rate they are dying they wont have any life at all?" Logan said.
"No. And I believe these kids, they've fought for their second chance to live," Gibson said. "They're strong kids, but they are only as strong as the people taking care of them."
And that's where much of the problem lies.
Despite the reported arrest of an administrator and two security guards responsible for the boys' well-being, no one has yet been charged.
"One of my concerns is that this is just going to blow over and we are going to be seeing the same thing again unless we hold people to the fire and hold them to task to do the right thing," Navy Lt. Jim Cook.
Worried about the health of several boys, the soldiers say they'll be back soon with U.S. doctors.
But they admit that's only a temporary solution - and the boys' fate really lies in the fate of the Iraqi government.
They were among a group of 24 whose lives the soldiers believed they had saved when they rescued them from a nearby state-run orphanage this summer.
As first reported on CBS News, the boys were found naked, bound and starving to death, while the kitchen down the hallway was packed with unopened food and piles of brand new clothing sat unused, CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports.
One boy, Saddam Ali Abbas, was the first to die shortly after his rescue.
Now, some five months later, two more boys are dead from cholera they contracted while under state care:
Staff Sgt. Mitchell Gibson - part of the original rescue team - was shocked at the deaths and condition of the boys today: "They deserve to live and they deserve to have a happy life and at this rate I don't see these kids having a happy life."
"Well if they keep dying at the rate they are dying they wont have any life at all?" Logan said.
"No. And I believe these kids, they've fought for their second chance to live," Gibson said. "They're strong kids, but they are only as strong as the people taking care of them."
And that's where much of the problem lies.
Despite the reported arrest of an administrator and two security guards responsible for the boys' well-being, no one has yet been charged.
But while Logan was visiting the orphanage, several government officials were there to begin an investigation.
Find out how you can help the Iraqi orphans
Read Logan's original exclusive report about the boys.
"One of my concerns is that this is just going to blow over and we are going to be seeing the same thing again unless we hold people to the fire and hold them to task to do the right thing," Navy Lt. Jim Cook.
Worried about the health of several boys, the soldiers say they'll be back soon with U.S. doctors.
But they admit that's only a temporary solution - and the boys' fate really lies in the fate of the Iraqi government.
Latest Now in CBS Evening News
- Life on the streets of Syria
- In Japan, screaming "I love you" for Valentine's
- Syria's rebels "disillusioned" with America
- Evening News Online, 02.12.12
- Japan's men overcome shyness of sharing love
- Squatters cite old law to claim homes
- Death toll rises as extreme cold sweeps Europe
- Syria protesters grow frustrated with UN
- Unpopular austerity package ignites Greece protests
- Whitney Houston always remembered in her hometown
- Whitney Houston cause of death under investigation
- Whitney Houston never forgot New Jersey roots
- Former Pa. DEP chief on contaminated water from gas drilling
- Evening News Online, 02.11.12
- Catholic votes and the Obama contraceptive quarrel
- Making the 1st ever US women's Olympic boxing team
- Ohio unemployment hits 3-year-low
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- More human remains found at Calif. ranch
- Pakistani PM charged with contempt
- Pakistan's Supreme Court charges prime minister with contempt, escalating political crisis
- Adele tells Vogue she's done with break-up music
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
