Former Henrico officer sobs in court, sentenced to 20 years for abusing his children

Chesterfield Judge Edward Robbins sentenced a former Henrico County police officer to 20 years on Thursday for abusing his two elementary-age sons and allowing his fiancée to abuse them as well.

Bhalmiki Maharaj pleaded guilty in July 2025 to child abuse and neglect, assault and battery, malicious wounding and child cruelty.

Robbins said the defendant had a special responsibility to his sons and a human being of any decency would have acted if they saw what was taking place.

During the sentencing hearing, the Commonwealth played multiple videos from Ring cameras inside the couple's home showing the older child doing squat jumps while Maharaj's fiancée, Barbie Paul, berated, kicked, slapped and punched him. Maharaj was in the room and allowed the abuse to happen.

Another judge previously sentenced Paul, a former Henrico County teacher, to more than 132 years behind bars for the abuse.

As the videos played in the courtroom, Maharaj began crying to the point of sobbing, and the judge called a recess so he could collect himself.

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