12-year-old Orihuela ‘rape victim’ gives birth

THE 12-year-old who became pregnant after she was allegedly raped in Orihuela has given birth.

Mother and her infant are “in perfect health” said Fundacion Diagrama’s Alicante Director General Carolina Martinez. “They are in the care of the Valencia Regional Government who will decide what is the best for both,” she said. They are still searching for the man who is said to have raped her in November 2010.

Orihuela Social Services only became aware of the alleged rape when she was already six months pregnant. A 39-year-old Ecuadorian man was arrested in April in connection with her rape, but was released without charges after testifying in court. He was boyfriend of the victim’s mother, while the suspect who is wanted for questioning was a neighbour and family friend.

Initially suspicion fell on the father, but he was cleared given he was in prison for violating a restraining order from his wife at the time the girl became pregnant. Since the pregnancy was not reported until six months after the rape, it was too late to legally have an abortion without a judge’s authorization in the event carrying the fetus to full term would endanger the life of the mother.

Doctors examined the victim and confirmed that although her body is not fully mature there is no danger to her life.

The girl, who is now a ward of the Valencian Regional Government, turned 12 in the beginning of June.

By Nicole Hallett