Colombia: sequestered for 12 years, she manages to escape

A man accused of kidnapping a little girl twelve years ago has been detained, Colombian justice announced Thursday. The victim, aged 7 at the time of the incident, “had been missing for 12 years” and, since then, had been moved between several houses in the municipalities of Medellin and Bello.

Of Colombian nationality, the accused, Carlos Humberto Grisales Higuita, was arrested on November 22 in Medellin and faces aggravated charges for the crimes of “kidnapping, rape and acts of pornography” of a minor under 14 years old.

According to the prosecution, the man “psychologically manipulated and sexually subjugated” the victim, “making her believe that this behavior was normal.” The investigation indicates the man changed the minor’s name, socially isolated her and withdrew her from school.

At the age of 16, she “complained to the alleged perpetrator about her treatment and, in retaliation, was allegedly locked in a house”, from which she managed to escape in February . The suspect, a school bus driver, denied the charges against him during preliminary hearings. He was placed in detention by decision of a judge in Medellin. Videos of the events were found in his possession.

Victim or witness to sexual assault?