Three staff members of a Tribal Welfare Ashram school were suspended by Rampachodavaram ITDA Project Officer S. Prasanth Kumar on Sunday after a Class IX girl was alleged sexually abused by a hostel cook and found pregnant.

The suspended staff members were principal D. Santhimathi, hostel welfare officer P. Vijayakantham and teacher K. Lovamma.

The 14-year-old girl was found to be pregnant during a medical examination at the Kakinada Government General Hospital on September 10. She is reportedly in her first trimester.

According to officials, the girl’s parents took her to the hospital after she complained of illness. The girl later told the authorities that she had been sexually abused by the cook at the Tribal Welfare Ashram school. The Tribal Welfare Ashram school authorities lodged a complaint with the local police in Polavaram district, who registered a case against the cook under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

In an official release issued on Sunday, ITDA Project Officer Mr. Prasanth Kumar said; “The three staff, including the ashram school principal, have been suspended. A probe is also in progress by the Women and Child Welfare officials. The health condition of the girl is out of danger and she is being treated at the Kakinada GGH.”