Mum: 'Zahara was conceived in rape'

The biological mother of Angelina Jolie's adopted Ethiopian daughter Zahara has revealed that the child was conceived as a result of rape.

Mentwabe Dawit admitted this week that she had kept the 2004 attack a secret, describing the incident to Reuters: "He pulled a dagger, put one hand on my mouth, so that I could not scream. He then raped me and disappeared."

The 24-year-old was then forced to tell her mother what had happened after her belly began to grow. She said: "It was not as I feared. I found my mother understanding and consoling. She urged me not to do anything rash, which might endanger my life."

But soon after the girl, whom she named Yemsrach meaning good news, was born, she realised she could not afford to look after her, explaining: "My baby was on the verge of death. She became malnourished and was even unable to cry. I was desperate and decided to run away, rather than see my child dying."

Mentwabe's mother then gave her daughter up for adoption because she thought that she had died.

Recent reports claimed that Mentwabe wanted Jolie to return Zahara to her, but she has since denied the claims and given her blessing to the adoption.