17.06.2026 06:40
A US citizen, found with three children in the process of adoption in Colombia's capital Bogota, was detained on suspicion of sexually abusing a child on his home balcony. However, examinations of the children found no evidence of abuse, and the court ordered the individual's release due to insufficient evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
A new development has occurred regarding a U.S. citizen detained in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, on suspicion of sexually abusing a child. According to local media reports, the individual, against whom no charges were brought in court, has been released.
The judge ruled for the release of the U.S. citizen, citing insufficient evidence to support the detention order.
NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE FOUND IN EXAMINATION RESULTS
Astrid Caceres, Director of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), announced in a statement about the incident that examinations conducted on the children taken to the medical center found no evidence of sexual violence.
Caceres stated that the investigation is ongoing to shed light on all aspects of the incident, and the evidence obtained is being thoroughly examined.
ALLEGED TO BE IN THE PROCESS OF ADOPTION
Colombia's Migration Authority also announced that no criminal record was found in the U.S. citizen's entry records into the country. Additionally, it was reported that no records were found about the individual in international databases related to child sexual abuse crimes.
Information obtained during the investigation suggested that the U.S. citizen was in a legal adoption process involving three children.
DETAINED AFTER A REPORT
According to information in the press, the children began arguing during a meal. It was alleged that the U.S. citizen took the older child to the balcony to calm them down.
Upon a report from neighbors who misinterpreted the situation, officers from the Child Bureau arrived at the scene and detained the individual on suspicion of sexually abusing the child.
HAD FACED A LYNCHING ATTEMPT
Following the incident, the detained U.S. citizen faced a lynching attempt by angry neighborhood residents. In images shared on social media, residents were seen reacting to the individual seen with a child on an apartment balcony and calling for help. During a police operation at the apartment, three children aged 4, 7, and 15 were found at home along with the U.S. citizen.
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT PETRO
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also made a statement about the incident, stating that it was understood the detained U.S. citizen had not abused any of his adopted children.
Petro said, "Since it has been understood that the U.S. citizen of Texan origin did not abuse any of the children he adopted in Colombia, I am obliged, due to my commitment to the truth, to report this situation to the Colombian public."