A girl of 10 who complained at school of stomach ache gave birth just hours later.

She was rushed to hospital by teachers and found to be in the late stages of labour.

Although only seven months pregnant, the girl gave birth normally.

The girl and her baby are being cared for in the hospital's neonatal unit.

She told police her ­stepfather, 40, abused her.

He is now accused of rape.

The girl’s mother claimed she had not seen her ­daughter’s stomach bulge and she had no idea she was pregnant.

According to police, the girl's mother said that her daughter started to struggle at school and become more introverted from October last year.

Police in Belo Horizonte, south-east Brazil, said: “The mother alleges she and other family hadn’t noticed.”

Police chief Capt. Castro said: "The mother alleges that she, along with other family members, hadn't noticed, taking into consideration the child's small frame."

The girl told police that her ex-stepfather would threaten to kill her mother and brother if she ever told about the abuse.

He has been charged with rape of a child and illegal possession of firearms.