Police Investigate Teen's Death and Female Genital Mutilation

Police! Don't move. Don't move! Let me see your hands. Let me see your hands.

Josie says, "Hands up." Show me your hands. Show me your hands.

No, don't shoot. My arm is broken. Hands. No, my arm is broken.

Please. Back up to the car. Please don't shoot. Please, believe me. Get on the car. Get on the car.

Okay, okay, okay. Please don't shoot. Don't move. Okay, okay.

If he moves, shoot him.

My arm doesn't work. Please, you must believe me.

What's your name? Chukwue. Chukwue Botami.

What'd you do to her, Chukwue? I didn't do anything to her.

That is my wife. That's Nike Botami. Wait, can I touch her?

No, I'm sorry, you can't. You think I killed her. Yeah, we do.

Well, you're wrong. I loved her. How long were you and Nike married?

Nine months. She was 15. In New York, it's legal to marry when you are 14.

With consent of a judge. I have the necessary documentation.

Well, then how come your name wasn't listed on her visa application?

I'm not a citizen. I can't sponsor her. Are you going to interrogate me in front of my dead wife?

Your dead wife is a 15-year-old girl you mutilated.

Circumcision was her decision. You didn't force her? You don't know Nike.

You can't force her to do anything. Oh, somebody forced her into the river.

Here's what I think. You brought a 14-year-old girl over from Nigeria to be your wife.

After spending a year in America, she decides, "You know, instead of a circumcision, I'd rather have an iPhone."

So she tries to bolt, you beat her to death and dump her in the East River. Now, how can I do that?

My left arm is crippled. Oh, I don't underestimate your right arm.

I want an attorney. Fine. But sooner or later, we're gonna find out what happened.

Mr. Botami, you're free to go. I'm no longer under arrest?

No, but don't be surprised if you get home and find us searching the premises. We have a warrant.

Excuse me, ma'am, you can't do that till our people are done.

I must. To honor Nike. Her spirit walks the house until she's buried.

Please take off your shoes. You and Nike were close?

Like sisters. I'm Amani, Chukwue's cousin.

Can we have some pudding? Not now, sweetie. I'll make some later.

Go keep Felix company. They yours? No. Nike and I run a daycare to help with the rent.

Finn, come here. Chukwue make all this? Yes.

He's a craftsman. One-handed? They're really beautiful.

Is that Eden's wood oak? No, this is all African savanna.

I'll have CS you take a sample. Hey, what are you doing wearing that T-shirt?

Let's take that off, baby. Lie or die. That's a hell of a T-shirt.

What's your name, little man? Obi. Hey, Obi, where'd you get that T-shirt? From a man.

What man? I don't know. He gave it to me, said it was a present. What did he look like?

He was big. Did he have a big nose? Funny face?

How about a tattoo? I don't know. Can I go outside now?

Only in the backyard, Obi. I need to tend to the children.

Who's telling you to lie? I don't know. You knew the second you saw that shirt.

I'm sorry, I must go. I'm not getting much more out of them.

No, but we will from a guy I know on Adam Clayton Powell. Help me.

Watch out. Stop. Police. Stop what you're doing.

Hey, move away from her. Move away from her now.

You're gonna be okay. I'm not finished. Hey, yo, drop that. Drop it.

You're under arrest. Millions of girls have been circumcised for centuries.

Welcome to the 21st century. Mutilation is a classy felony and a federal crime.

It is not a crime. It is a celebration. That girl will be scarred for life.

I am a trained Anamobiri. I am no different from a Jewish Mohel.

Except that female circumcision has been outlawed in nearly every country around the world, including your own.

Now, you're looking at four years per count, and clearly this is not your first time.

Did you perform the circumcision on this girl?

I have never seen her before. Well, that's strange, since you're listed as Nike Ell's aunt on her immigration visa.

Why are you asking about this girl? 'Cause she's dead.

We fished her out of the river this morning.

I haven't seen Nike for months. When you performed a circumcision on her.

She wanted it. She said it was time for her to become a woman.

She was a child. In this country, 15 years old is a spoiled teenager, but in Nigeria, a 15 year old has lived a lifetime.

When we find all of the other girls you've mutilated- ... you're gonna spend the rest of your life in jail.

The court might show leniency if you help us out. How?

Give us Nike's address