A teenage boy has been charged with the rape and attempted murder of a 10-year-old girl in Exmouth.
The 16-year-old is due to appear before Exeter Youth Court on Monday.
The child, from the Brixington area of the town, was found in a distressed state by a member of the public after the alleged attack on 4 October, and she was taken home.
The alleged victim was later taken to hospital.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: "Officers from the Forces' Major Crime Investigation Team have formally charged a 16-year-old male in connection with a violent assault on a 10-year-old girl that took place on Thursday 4 October in the Marley Road area of Exmouth.
"The suspect, who cannot legally be named due to being under the age of 18, will appear at a Youth Court hearing, held within Exeter Magistrates Court on Monday 8 October charged with attempted murder and rape."
The force said its response included searches, interviews with local people and a forensic examination of the scene.
Neither the alleged victim nor the accused can be named for legal reasons and police warned the public to avoid speculation about their identities.
The police statement added: "Anyone who is alleged to be a victim of a sexual crime are automatically granted anonymity for life; regardless of their age and regardless of the outcome of any subsequent criminal trial. Any suspect under the age of 18 is also by law not allowed to be identified.
"These rules are not solely for media organisations to adhere to, they also apply to members of the public and include information posted via social media. We therefore remind the public that it is vital that they do not speculate on the identity of either the victim or the suspect in this case."
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