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Texas man exonerated in Bogotá after choking-son rescue

Published 17 June 2026

A Texas man arrested in Bogotá, Colombia, on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child on a balcony has been fully exonerated and released without charge after a forensic investigation concluded he was actually performing a life-saving maneuver on his choking son. The 36-year-old American was detained on Sunday, June 14, following a public outcry sparked by a viral video filmed at a residential building in an upscale northern neighborhood of the capital.

The video, recorded by a neighbor, showed the man holding a 7-year-old boy near the balcony railing. The person filming and other onlookers were heard shouting accusations of abuse and calling for police intervention. A crowd gathered at the building, demanding his arrest. Responding officers took the man into custody and, upon entering his apartment, discovered three children inside. The minors, reported to be ages four, seven, and 15, were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

However, subsequent investigations by Colombian authorities found no evidence of criminal conduct. The National Institute of Legal Medicine confirmed there had been no sexual violence. In a statement, the director of the Colombian Family Welfare...

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