Young Mexican mother was 12 or 13: authorities

Mexican authorities said Wednesday that a young girl who gave birth last month was 12 or 13 and not nine as originally reported, and that her stepfather is the father of the newborn.

"DNA tests confirmed that the individual responsible for this case (of sexual abuse) is the stepfather of the minor," Jalisco state prosecutor Tomas Coronado said at a press conference.

Hospital officials and prosecutors had said earlier this month that a nine-year-old girl named Dafne gave birth to a baby girl by C-section on January 27 in the western state.

Police had initially sought a teenager believed to be the father, but prosecutors said Friday they were investigating the girl's stepfather, 44, who they say confessed to having had sex with her in April and June 2012.

Coronado said the man claimed the relations were "consensual," but now faces charges of sexual abuse that carry a sentence of 12-20 years. The girl is now being housed in a protective shelter.

The girl's mother has not been arrested as authorities believe she was unaware of the alleged sexual abuse.

(c) 2013 AFP