Content warning: This article contains descriptions of rape.
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl in Ohio.
The case had previously received nationwide attention, including from oppression-minded conservatives whose so-called “pro-life” stance extended to suggesting the child was lying. The story was further placed at the center of a nationwide discussion on human rights in light of the Supreme Court’s widely criticized decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thus opening the door for conservative state governments to enact further abortion-targeting laws.
Per a report on Wednesday from regional outlet the Columbus Dispatch, 27-year-old Gershon Fuentes was arrested this week and charged with rape. According to the report, citing local police, Fuentes has also confessed to having raped the 10-year-old child “at least” twice.
Publicly available booking information from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio shows that Fuentes was arrested on Tuesday for felony rape. While booking documents did not disclose bond information, the Dispatch said Wednesday that a local judge had set Fuentes’ bond at $2 million.
At the end of last month, per a detective, the 10-year-old girl—whose alleged rape was mentioned in recent remarks from President Biden—traveled to Indianapolis for an abortion.
“This isn’t some imagined horror. It’s already happening,” Biden said from the Roosevelt Room last week while speaking on a newly signed executive order on reproductive health services. “Just last week, it was reported that a 10-year-old girl was a rape victim in Ohio—10 years old—and she was forced to have to travel out of the state, to Indiana, to seek to terminate the [pregnancy] and maybe save her life. That’s—the last part is my judgment. Ten years old. Ten years old. Raped, six weeks pregnant. Already traumatized. Was forced to travel to another state. Imagine being that little girl. Just—I’m serious—just imagine being that little girl.”
As human rights advocates continue to rally behind ways to help those in states where local governments are targeting abortions, it’s been urged that donations be made to groups helping to connect those in need of care with providers, including by assisting with possible travel expenses.
For more information, including ways to help out from wherever you are, hit this link.
