The case of a 15-year-old schoolgirl who delivered a baby after feeling ill at school is being investigated by health officials.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome said staff were currently trying to establish the details of the pregnancy, which resulted in a home birth for the CedarBridge student.

It is understood the girl was taken home from school by parents after feeling unwell, and sometime later gave birth to a baby. The girl was not aware she was pregnant.

Pregnancy probe Mr. Bascome said his department was going to be talking to the parents of the girl, and the young mother herself.

In addition, efforts were being made to find out who the father was, and he warned that they could be looking at a charge of statutory rape because the girl is a minor. The case came to light after an Opposition MP raised the situation in the House of Assembly last week.

Trevor Moniz called for a new system of bringing counselling to youngsters, who he claimed were not always brought to the attention of the relevant authorities in such cases.

But Mr. Bascome said Teen Services were automatically called in when it is apparent a girl has become pregnant. However, he added, as in the most recent case, it is not always known until the last minute.

"In general, when a child finds out they are pregnant, they talk with the school to decide whether they want to go to Teen Services to finish their schooling.

"School counsellors get involved right away, the child is brought in and talked to.

"They have to do this to minors, under the age of sixteen, they have counselling and the parents are contacted -- all these services are in place.

This case was abnormal because the parents didn't know and the girl didn't know.'' Around 55 girls aged between 15 and 17 get pregnant each year in Bermuda, and 85 percent of those are seen by Teen Services.

HEALTH HTH