Suspected Rapist Accused of Impregnating 10-Year-Old Child Rape Victim in Ohio Believed to be Illegal Immigrant

A Columbus man has been charged with impregnating a 10 year-old Ohio girl, whose travel to Indiana to seek an abortion led to international attention.

“Gershon Fuentes, 27, whose last known address was an apartment on Columbus’ Northwest Side, was arrested Tuesday after police say he confessed to raping the child on at least two occasions. He’s since been charged with rape, a felony of the first degree in Ohio,” The Columbus Dispatch reports.

“The suspected rapist accused of impregnating the 10-year-old rape victim in Ohio was arrested Tuesday and booked into Franklin County Jail. Columbus Dispatch says bond was set at $2 million and that Gershon Fuentes, 27, is believed to be an “undocumented” immigrant,” Townhall.com reporter Mia Cathell tweeted.

Fuentes was charged with first-degree felony rape of a child under the age of 13 years old.

He has a preliminary hearing in Franklin County Municipal Court scheduled for July 22.

Fuentes, charged with first-degree felony rape of a child under 13yo, was arraigned Wednesday morning. He has a preliminary hearing in Franklin County Municipal Court scheduled for July 22. pic.twitter.com/uPwUvtdYgt

— Mia Cathell (@MiaCathell) July 13, 2022

The child rape victim traveled to Indiana for an abortion and DNA from the aborted fetus will be tested against samples from Gershon Fuentes.

The Columbus Dispatch reported:

Columbus police were made aware of the girl’s pregnancy through a referral by Franklin County Children Services that was made by her mother on June 22, Det. Jeffrey Huhn testified Wednesday morning at Fuentes’ arraignment. On June 30, the girl underwent a medical abortion in Indianapolis, Huhn said.

Huhn also testified that DNA from the clinic in Indianapolis is being tested against samples from Fuentes, as well as the child’s siblings, to confirm contribution to the aborted fetus.

Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Ebner said the case did not warrant Fuentes — who is believed to be undocumented — to be held without bond.

Ebner said a high bond was necessary, however, due to Fuentes being a possible flight risk and for the safety of the child involved. Before being arrested, Huhn and Det. David Phillips collected a saliva sample from Fuentes, according to a probable cause statement.