The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) has detained a 37-year-old man in Coimbra, suspected of committing crimes of child sexual abuse and sexual abuse of dependent minors over a prolonged period against his stepdaughter, who is currently 15 years old.
The teenager, who reported being violated since the age of six, recently disclosed the abuses to her mother, who subsequently brought the case to the attention of the PJ.
Following an investigation, judicial authorities discovered that the crimes began while both the victim and the offender were living abroad and resumed last summer when the victim moved to Portugal.
According to the PJ’s statement, the perpetrator took advantage of his “influence” over the victim and exploited the “vulnerability of the minor.”
The suspect has undergone his initial judicial interrogation and will remain in preventive custody.
