VISAKHAPATNAM: A 17-year-old girl, from Pottidorapalem area in Butchayyapeta, was found to be eight-month pregnant after she was allegedly harassed by her maternal uncle.
The case came to light on Friday night after the residents of the village informed about the issue to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials who have shifted the girl to a shelter home in Bheemili.
According to sources, the 17-year-old school dropout is living with her parents G Chinna Babu and Manikyam. Her maternal uncle, Somaraju has been living in the same house after he got separated from his wife and had allegedly harassed the girl sexually during the absence of her parents.
Sources said that the victim's mother knew about this, but never raised a voice against it. She ensured that the issue did not get leaked to others, they added. However, the residents came to know about the case and informed the ICDS officials on Friday late evening. The mother and uncle of the girl were planning an abortion in a hospital, according to sources.
"We have shifted the girl to the Balasadan at Bheemili. She needs counselling. She will be shifted to the State Home Officer (SHO) at Srikakulam soon," said district child protection officer (DCPO) A Satyanarayana.
However, the police said that they were yet to receive any complaint. "We will recommend SHO concerned to book the accused under the POCSO Act," said the DCPO.