Gov’t puts 14-year-old rape victim and newborn baby under legal protection

İZMİR

Turkey’s government has placed both a 14-year-old rape victim and her newborn baby under legal protection after the girl gave birth in the Kiraz district of the western province of İzmir, daily Habertürk reported May 30. 

The incident surfaced when the girl, M.A., was taken to a hospital on March 13 after falling ill. After doctors determined that M.A. was eight months pregnant, they requested that officials take action over allegations that the girl had been raped by a dairyman in the neighborhood. 

A man identified as Y.K. was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

Y.K. rejected allegations that he had raped the girl, prompting officials to take blood samples from the suspect as well as two other individuals alleged to have previously abused the girl sexually to determine the paternity of the baby, the newspaper said. 

The state has been providing psychological support to the girl, who is reportedly having difficulties accepting the baby.

The 14-year-old is now residing in a state dormitory with her child. 

The mother and the baby will be under the state’s legal protection for another month, after which social service experts will decide whether to place them under the family’s custody or not, the newspaper said.
 
The girl’s father, Ali. A., has reportedly asked the state officials to put the child into foster care but continue providing lodging for the daughter due to the family’s financial problems.