Man arrested for alleged rape of 10-year-old who travelled to Indiana for abortion

A man has been charged with raping and impregnating a 10-year-old girl. According to county records, 27-year-old Gerson Fuentes appeared in court to hear the charges again.

He is currently being held in Franklin County Detention Center with bail being denied. Fuentes is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on the 22nd of July.

“My heart aches for the pain suffered by this young child. I am grateful for the diligent work of the Columbus Police Department in securing a confession and getting a rapist off the street,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a Wednesday statement, according to FOX News. “Justice must be served and BCI stands ready to support law enforcement across Ohio putting these criminals behind bars.”

Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Dan Meyer informed the court that there is a high likelihood that Fuentes is in the US illegally and questions still remain about his identity. Fuentes faces life in prison if convicted.

Reporter Bethany Bruner issued a Tweet which was directed at any critics who said the case may have been fabricated. “I was the ONLY reporter in the courtroom this morning as the man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl, impregnating her, leading to an abortion in Indiana, was arraigned. This confirms that the case exists.”

The case made headlines as the victim travelled to Indiana to get an abortion. After Roe v. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court, Ohio’s “trigger laws” were enacted, thus making getting an abortion in the state more difficult. In Ohio, abortions can only be obtained after 6 weeks if there is a threat to the mother’s life.

President Joe Biden discussed the case and was quoted as saying “Imagine being that little girl. I’m serious. Just imagine being that little girl.”

Ohio Attorney Dave Yost said following the arrest of Fuentes: “We rejoice anytime a child rapist is taken off the streets.”

Several Twitter users demanded that Yost apologize to the victim has was previously quoted as saying that he had been in “regular contact with prosecutors and local police and sheriffs,” and he hadn’t heard “a whisper anywhere” about the girl.