An alleged mentally-challenged man was taken into police custody after he was accused of sexually molesting a three-year old girl afternoon of November 24 at Tigbauan town, Iloilo.

Senior Inspector Abner Jordan, chief, Tigbauan Police, said the 26-year old suspect, who is also known as “Darna” in their village, also physically attacked the hapless girl and left her unconscious in the middle of a bamboo plantation.

The girl was immediately brought to Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City for physical and medical examination and treatment.

Initial investigation pointed to “Darna” as the last person who was seen with the girl.

“The victim’s family trusted the suspect because he frequently visits their house,” Jordan said.

Police reports said the victim also made mention of “Darna” to her mother and to an investigator of the Women and Children’s Desk while in the hospital.

“Darna” was arrested on the same day. 

Police said it is not yet known the extent of physical and psychological abuses the victim suffered.

Initial investigation, according to Jordan, indicated that “Darna” lured the victim to go with him.

While the rape angle is yet to be proven by the medical examination, “we learned that the suspect choked her with a plastic straw and punched her on the face,” Jordan said.

Reports also said that “Darna” allegedly pierced a bamboo stick on the girl’s genital.

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother appealed for help for the medical expenses of her daughter.

She said they were not able to get the CT scan result because they were not able to pay P3,000.

The mother added they also failed to pay the obstetrician-gynecologist who performed a medical examination on the child.

On top of that, they were also bombarded by list of medicines that should be bought for the child’s treatment.

It was gathered that the child’s father has no permanent job to support an extensive treatment of the child.*