Man Allegedly Rapes Stepdaughter For Years With Mother's Consent To Get Public Housing Benefits

A man in Israel has allegedly raped his teenage stepdaughter for years with the consent of the victim's mother.

The couple, living in the town of Ramle, has been accused of intentionally trying to impregnate the girl, now 14, so they could get public housing benefits.

The man, who is in his 40s, was arrested last week on suspicion of sexually abusing the minor for around three years, police said Sunday, according to Jerusalem Post. The girl's mother, who is also in her 40s, was arrested as well since the alleged abuse took place with her knowledge and aid.

Investigators believe the husband and wife kept track of the girl's menstrual cycle in their bid to get the minor girl pregnant.

During their search, cops found a calendar containing a record of the girl's period among the mother's possessions. The couple allegedly tried to increase the chances of the girl's pregnancy so that they would be eligible for public housing.

The couple did not share any children with each other.

The sexual abuse came to light after the girl confided about it to her friends. The friends then insisted on the girl speaking to the school's counselor about her ordeal.

Welfare authorities were informed about the girl's situation, after which the police launched an undercover investigation into the situation a few weeks before the arrest.

Police said the stepfather raped the girl in recent years "with the approval of the mother, who knew what was happening and agreed to commit the offenses against her daughter," according to the Times of Isreal.

The husband and wife wanted to impregnate her "in order for her to 'receive' an apartment from the authorities," police added.

The girl's mental health is now in a "grave condition," and she is now at a mental health institution.

The mother has two other daughters apart from the victim. However, investigators believe they were not subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of their stepfather.

The accused husband and wife remain in custody until further court proceedings.

Lawyer Abed Abu Amer, who is representing the stepfather, said his client denies the allegations against him, Haaretz reported.