On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a U.S. citizen detained in Bogotá over allegations of child abuse was released after forensic medical exams found no evidence of violence against the minor involved. According to Caracol Radio, the man has already hired a legal team to pursue lawsuits against those who defamed him.

The case gained significant media attention, amplified by several U.S. outlets and further fueled when Colombian President Gustavo Petro addressed it on his social media platform X. Petro clarified that, based on the information he received, the foreigner did not commit sexual abuse against any of the children and that the video causing suspicion was misinterpreted.

Petro explained that the man had taken the child to a balcony due to choking while eating and noted that the U.S. citizen was in Colombia undergoing the adoption process for three children aged 5, 7, and 15. The president also used the moment to question the outsourcing model in some adoption procedures and advocated for the State to take direct responsibility for child care when family environments fail.

Following this, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) issued a statement confirming that the children had been under protection since 2022 and that the adoption process complied with all legal protocols.

Medical evaluations reported by the media found no signs of abuse or mistreatment, which led to the man’s release. This case highlights the complexities of child protection and adoption systems, as well as the importance of careful media coverage and legal safeguards.