A 40-year-old father of two has been arrested by the Lidula Police on suspicion of impregnating a 13-year-old schoolgirl, authorities confirmed on Friday morning.

The victim, a Grade 9 student, resides within a local tea estate under the jurisdiction of the Lidula Police Division.

The situation came to light after a teacher at the school grew suspicious of the student’s behavior and alerted her mother. Following a private inquiry with her daughter, the mother lodged a formal complaint with the Lidula Police on Thursday (May 21).

Officers from the Lidula Police Women’s Bureau immediately intervened, admitting the schoolgirl to the hospital where medical examinations confirmed she is two months pregnant. The victim was subsequently referred to the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital for further clinical evaluation.

According to a senior police official, the suspect is a resident of the same tea estate as the victim. Police confirmed he is scheduled to be produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today (May 22).

Further investigations into the statutory rape and child abuse charges are being conducted by the Lidula Police.

Source- May 22 (Daily Mirror)