10-year-old Argentinian girl pregnant from rape is denied abortion as 'it is too late'

A 10-year-old girl in Argentina is 32 weeks pregnant after being "repeatedly abused" by a family member, according to reports. It has been alleged the girl was raped by her paternal uncle, who is now in custody.

The girl, whose identity has not been revealed in order to protect her, became aware of her condition after her mother took her to a hospital in Mendoza, Cuyo region, after she experienced abdominal pain.

The alleged abuser, aged 23, has been arrested after being accused of repeatedly abusing the minor.

Investigators are working to identify whether the suspect acted alone or had accomplices.

The alleged abuser lived in the same house as the girl's family in Mendoza, which is shocked after learning the news of the abuse, local news site Clarin reported.

The girl's parents said they were not aware of the abuses and had failed to notice the pregnancy as the girl "is robust", according to Mendoza's district attorney, Alejandro Gullé.

Abortion is illegal in Argentina, with the exception of pregnancy as a result of rape or when the mother's life is at risk.

However, doctors ruled out the possibility of performing an abortion due to the advanced state of the pregnancy.

"In case of violation, the law exempts from punishment and justifies the possibility of interrupting the pregnancy, but at this point it will no longer be possible, Gullé explained.

He added that the girl's family will decide on the future of the baby, who could be given up for adoption.

A similar case occurred in Mendoza seven years ago, when a 12-year-old girl became pregnant after being raped, El Pais reported.

In that case, however, the girl could undergo an abortion as she was only one week pregnant.