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Cambodian orphanage closed after raid

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, March 25 (UPI) -- An orphanage in Cambodia has been shut down after officials said they received complaints of abuse and suspected human trafficking at the facility.

Authorities working with two non-governmental organizations said they removed 21 children from the unregistered Love In Action orphanage in Phnom Penh Friday, The Phnom Penh Post reported Monday.

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Five children escaped from the facility Feb. 26 and another seven on March 14, said Gratianne Quade, communications officer for SISHA, one of the non-profit organizations involved in the raid.

The group Mlup Russey also took part in closing down the orphanage.

Children from the orphanage reported they had been physically abused and that others had disappeared. They described conditions as overcrowded and with inadequate food.

Ruth Golder and Tracey Golder, the mother and daughter who operated the facility, had not yet been arrested as of Sunday, the two non-profits involved in the raid said.

The orphanage's website said it was largely funded by Christian groups in Australia.

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