A MOTHER is warning parents to keep an eye on their children in public places after her daughter was bashed in a Brisbane shopping centre.

The girl, aged seven, had gone to the toilet after meeting her parents in Sunnybank Plaza, where they own a takeaway shop, reportedQuest's Southern Star newspaper.



As she was leaving, she was approached by two older children, who took her to the parents' room.



Police allege a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy held the victim captive in the room for twenty minutes and assaulted her repeatedly, before walking away.



Bruised and bloodied, the girl made her way back to her shocked parents.



"My daughter came back crying with blood on her face," the girl's mother said.



She was taken to the Mater Children's Hospital and treated for minor injuries, including facial swelling.



The teenagers were charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and deprivation of liberty, and are being dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act.



The girl's mother said her daughter did not know the pair, who allegedly held her captive for nearly 20 minutes and punched her repeatedly.



"Every time she asked to leave, they would punch her," she said. "They stood in front of the door and wouldn't let her go."



She said her daughter was psychologically scarred by the experience.



Continue reading at Quest's Southern Star newspaper.



Originally published asGirl, 7, held captive and bashed in shop toilets