A judge in the US city of Phoenix has ordered the continued detention of two nine-year-old boys accused of helping in the gang rape of a girl, aged eight.

The judge in the capital of the state of Arizona said they would be held while the case was being investigated.

Two other boys, aged 13 and 14, are also accused of kidnapping and sexual assault in July.

All the four suspects are Liberian refugees. The case has sparked outrage across the US and also in Liberia.

Chewing gum

The girl, who is also from Liberia, is now under the care of the Arizona Child Protective Service after her parents said she had shamed them and they did not want her back.

The police have said no charges will be filed against the parents.

The girl was allegedly lured by the four boys into a shed on 16 July with promises of chewing gum.

There, they reportedly held her down and took turns assaulting her for 10 to 15 minutes, before her screams alerted officers nearby.