A three-year-old boy is believed to have been a victim of sexual abuse by his 12-year-old uncle in the municipality of Felgueiras. The case is being investigated by the Judicial Police after the situation was reported to the authorities following a hospital visit by the child.
The child was taken by family members to a hospital unit for examination, and the health professionals alerted the GNR due to suspicions of sexual abuse. The military officers went to the location and, given the nature of the facts, subsequently alerted the Judicial Police, which took over the investigation. The child was then transferred to Hospital Padre Américo in Penafiel.
The case involves a 12-year-old minor as the alleged perpetrator, so the situation will be reported to the Family and Minors Court. In Portugal, minors under the age of 12 are not criminally responsible, while those between 12 and 16 may be subject to measures under the Educational Guardianship Law.
The Judicial Police will now investigate the circumstances under which the alleged abuse is believed to have occurred and gather the necessary elements to clarify the case.
