Girl beaten on camera may have been sexually assaulted: cops

A 15-year-old girl with “special needs” — who was attacked and beaten by a group of her “so-called friends” in a sickening cellphone video — may have also been sexually assaulted off camera, cops said Wednesday.

“That’s what I was told based on some initial testimony from the victim herself,” said Chicago Police spokesman Jose Jara at an afternoon press conference.

“The victim was interviewed,” the officer added. “She did mention a couple of things besides what was on the video.”

The footage showing the assault first surfaced on social media Monday, and by Tuesday night had already been viewed more than 120,000 times.

It shows a group of teens attacking the mentally disabled victim on Chicago’s South Side — beating and punching her repeatedly as she breaks down into tears.

“This is beyond disturbing to watch and this young girl deserves far better,” tweeted Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. “This clip has been forwarded to the #ChicagoPolice Special Victims Unit and a criminal investigation has been opened.”

The stomach-churning footage was captured by someone who knew the group, though it’s unclear when.

According to police, the teen had been missing for at least five days before authorities were contacted by her family.

Asked why the family waited so long, Officer Jara said: “I wish I could answer that question, but I don’t know the answer to that.”

Cops said the girl was located on Tuesday night and taken to a hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and released into the care of her father.

Community activist Stringer Harris spoke to reporters before the CPD press conference on Wednesday and identified the people who set upon the victim as six teens — five girls and one boy — between the ages of 15 and 18. He and police officials described them as her “so-called friends.”

“I want justice for my friend,” wrote a person who knew the victim on Twitter. “She didn’t deserve any of this.”

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