Social services in Uddevalla, 85 kilometres north of Gothenburg, had reported the stepfather, but prosecutors did not pursue the investigation after the girl changed her account.
"My judgement is that this was a completely correct judgement to make at the time. The girl had no injuries and said nothing during questioning," said prosecutor Per-Åke Kvarnström, who is leading the current case against the man.
The stepfather was remanded in custody of Friday for serious sexual assault of a child and child rape. The crimes are alleged to have taken place between 1998 and this summer. The girl's age is not known, but she is still under 15.
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