A 12-year-old girl who was raped by her stepfather gave birth to a healthy baby via Caesarean Section at the Georgetown Hospital last week and is said to be resting comfortably.
Stabroek News understands that the birth occurred either last Wednesday or Thursday.
A source close to the case told this newspaper yesterday that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) had known about the child’s situation for some time now. The child, the source said, is from Berbice and the perpetrator is currently incarcerated after being charged with rape.
After it was revealed that the child was pregnant, the source said, she was placed in the custody of a relative. The source stressed that the CCPA has been monitoring the child since becoming aware of her situation.
Stabroek News was told that the youngest girl known to have given birth was eleven years old. That case occurred several years ago.
In January this newspaper had reported the case of a 13 year old who had to be air-dashed to the city after she developed complications while giving birth at the Port Kaituma Hospital in Region One.
The child who apparently remained unconscious following a Caesarean Section was initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital before being transferred to the open ward. Both mother and baby are currently in the care of CCPA.
A source close to the agency had told this newspaper on that occasion that at least seven girls (under the age of consent) and their babies are currently in the care of the agency.
Sixteen is the age of consent according to the law.
“We are giving support to girls and we work with the police to find the perpetrators,” the source said, adding that a lot of the pregnancies arise out of incest but it is often difficult to get the girls to admit this.
“The girls are not telling the right story. There is a lot of fear. There are a lot of reasons why children don’t talk about the abuse they endure. They don’t want to upset the family life,” the source explained.
It was noted that the girls are given the choice to be re-enrolled in school or learn a skill. The agency takes care of both mother and child.
