Colombian Bus Driver Arrested for Child Exploitation

Carlos Humberto Grisales Higuita, a Colombian school bus driver, has been arrested on charges of kidnapping, sexually abusing a minor, and producing child pornography after a girl he allegedly abducted in 2012 managed to escape. The girl, who was seven at the time of her abduction, was held captive in various locations around Medellín, Colombia, and subjected to psychological manipulation to normalize the abuse. After confronting Grisales at age 16, he locked her indoors, but she escaped in February 2024 and reported him to authorities. Grisales was apprehended by police last week and has denied all charges, but he remains in pre-trial detention. This case has sparked outrage in Colombia, highlighting ongoing concerns about child sexual exploitation, with Medellín reporting numerous cases of abuse, some involving foreign tourists. Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez emphasized the city's commitment to combating sexual exploitation of children.