An 11-year-old girl has been rescued by Spanish police after she was sold to a family in Romania by her parents for €17,000.

The pre-teen, who was due to be forced into an arranged marriage under the deal, travelled to Valladolid where she lived with her husband-to-be and his family.

Having suffered sexual and physical abuse while living with the family, the child contacted her mother in Seville and pleaded to be allowed come home, but her new 'family' insisted her parents pay €10,000 in order to release her.

The child's situation came to police attention when they learned a minor had been sold with the goal of contracting marriage at an engagement party in Romania

Based on these claims, police launched an investigation at the beginning of the month.

Upon realising they were under surveillance, the family in Romania sent the child back to Seville where she was met by her parents and police, the former of whom are believed to have been immediately arrested.

Commenting on the child's tragic case, police stated that she suffered appalling abuse at the hands of the family in Valladolid, saying: "They would constantly insult, threaten and hit her, and force her to have sex."

According to police statements, five people from the two offending families have been detained and charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse, rape and labour exploitation.

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