Police have picked up the juvenile who made the news last week for allegedly defiling a four-year-old girl at Assin Adadientem in the Central Region.

The boy was not arrested early on although he had been charged with defilement because, according to police, the father of the victim, who first reported the matter, did not return to the station to lead them to effect the arrest.

However, Director of Police Public Affairs, DSP Sheila Kesse Abayie Buckman, on Sunday confirmed the arrest.

“The suspect is currently in police custody and police have also received the medical report on the examination of the victim. Investigation is still ongoing,” she said.

The four-year-old victim was initially unable to stand or walk after she was defiled on October 14, 2017.

Videos captured by Joy News Maxwell Agbagba, who broke the news, show the incident has taken a toll on her health.

Her mother, Monica Nyarko, reported the case to the chief of the community but that did not help.

According to the chief, who has close ties to the family of the teenager, the gods found no wrongdoing and have declared the juvenile innocent.

The incident sparked public outrage and when further reports emerged that the town is notorious for rape and defilement cases that go unpunished, Police renewed their interest in the case of the four-year-old girl.

Speaking to Joy News Sunday, the Director of Police Public Affairs Director said the rights of both victim and suspect will be protected in pursuing the case.

“Let me state emphatically that Police will follow due process in handling the case, including the protection of the right of the victim and any right of the suspect as the law requires. And so the public should allow due process to be followed and not be hasty in drawing conclusion,” said DSP Buckman.

Meanwhile, the family of the four-year-old girl has been relocated from the village.

Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who earlier paid a visit to the family told Joy News all debt and expenses have been taken care of, all in the bid to ensure a sound mind for the family.