The father of a fourteen-month girl found dead in a wooded area near Istán (Málaga) shortly after midnight yesterday was arrested on a charge of imprudent homicide and will remain in custody for a further 48 hours following a preliminary court ruling earlier today.

The 32 year old man from Marbella turned up in Istán, at around 8.30pm last Saturday night; drunk, hysterical and covered in blood and bruises, claiming that he had lost his daughter as they were out for a stroll.

A number of local volunteers joined the Guardia Civil in the ensuing search, and the girl was found - still alive - four hours later floating in the river Molinos. However, attempts to revive her failed, and she died soon after. The autopsy revealed that she drowned.