Report: Columbus police arrest man accused of raping 10-year-old girl who sought abortion in Indiana

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Authorities have charged a Columbus man with raping a 10-year-old girl, a case that put Ohio in the national debate of abortion rights and prompted the girl to go to Indiana for an abortion, the Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.

Gershon Fuentes, 27, was arrested Tuesday after he admitted to police that he raped the girl twice, according to Columbus Municipal Court records. He faces life in prison. The arrest substantiated the allegations that have been attacked for the past several weeks.

President Biden mentioned the child’s situation earlier this month, which drew attacks from critics, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who questioned whether the incident had actually happened.

On Wednesday, Yost reversed course, issuing a statement that says: “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.”

Records show the girl told police that Fuentes had raped her. Detectives said they obtained a DNA swab from Fuentes, who later confessed to raping the child, according to the court records.

The Dispatch reported that Columbus police learned of the situation through a referral by Franklin County Children Services. The girl underwent the abortion June 30, the paper reported, citing a police detective’s testimony. The girl was forced to leave Ohio because most abortions have become illegal in the state.

A Columbus municipal judge set his bond at $2 million. The Indianapolis Star first reported the incident, and it attributed it to a physician who performs abortions.

cleveland.com reporters Kaylee Remington and Andrew J. Tobias contributed to this story.

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