By ARTESIA DAVIS, NG Senior Reporter, artesia@nasguard.com

Police are holding two juveniles in connection with the sexual assault of a four-year-old girl, Glen Miller, the head of the Central Detective Unit confirmed yesterday.

According to Miller, the suspects, ages 11 and 14, are related to the girl.

The alleged abuse happened in a home in an inner-city community.

Reports of sexual offenses against minors increased last year to 240, compared to the 208 complaints recorded in 2006.

Andrew Bridgewater was sentenced to seven years in prison last year for the sexual assault of a six-year-old girl, who knew and trusted him.

Bridgewater pleaded guilty to convincing the child to come with him under the guise that he was going to buy her ice cream. Instead, Bridgewater took the girl to bushes near the Blue Hill water plant, where he had vaginal and anal sex with her.

Bridgewater's sentence was the maximum penalty allowed for a first time conviction on a sexual offense. However, the penalties for juvenile offenders are much lighter.

According to the Children's and Young Person's Act, the suspects cannot be detained for more than six months if convicted.