A 25-year-oldan has been arrested for taking a girl under the age of 18 under the care of the state and rapping her.

Maldives Police Service made on Saturday.

Sources have told One Online that the child was at the orphanage in Vilimale', under the care of the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.

The child was found inside the room of tmher assailant. And while it is suspected that the child was raped and sexually abused, Police have found evidence of attempted grooming of the child as well.

The suspect in the case is a man from Male' City with a Police record of illegal drugs and assault. The Criminal Court has remanded the man for 15 days.

While the Police have confirmed the arrest in such a case, no further details were offered as it pertains to underage children.

And there has been no word from the Gender Ministry so far regarding the case but the Ministry did say that the incident has been brought to the attention of the Ministry and an investigation is underway.