Ecuador judge orders 40-day pretrial detention for stepfather accused of assaulting 9-year-old in Guayaquil

A judge in Guayaquil ordered 40 days of pretrial detention for a man accused of assaulting his 9-year-old stepdaughter in Guasmo Sur. The short detention period suggests a preliminary stage in proceedings, with the case likely to continue. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about child abuse and judicial response in Ecuador.