A teenage suspect has been taken into custody after a one-and-a-half-year-old girl died while undergoing treatment in Karachi, in a case police are investigating as a suspected sexual assault on Wednesday.

According to police, the incident occurred near D Area in Karachi’s Qayyumabad neighbourhood.

Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 15-year-old relative of the victim, Mannan, allegedly took the toddler, identified as Aizal, out of the house on the pretext of buying her something.

Police said the child was returned home in a critical condition and was immediately shifted to hospital, where she later died during treatment.

Doctors have confirmed signs consistent with sexual assault, police said.

The teenage suspect, identified as Manan, has been taken into custody and shifted to the Defence police station for further investigation.

Police said further legal action will be taken in light of the medical report, while the investigation into the incident is ongoing.