Overview

• The National Police detained a 36-year-old father and 24-year-old mother in Elche on charges of causing serious injuries to their three-year-old daughter.
• A routine medical check in Spain revealed healed lesions consistent with female genital mutilation, prompting a judicial and police investigation.
• The father admitted the procedure was rooted in cultural beliefs but did not disclose specific details about its timing or location.
• Investigators believe the procedure was performed outside Spanish territory before the family's arrival in May 2024 as legal residents.
• The parents have been placed under the jurisdiction of the Juzgado de Instrucción de Guardia de Elche as authorities gather further evidence.