Teen Escapes from School Bus Driver 12 Years After He Allegedly Kidnapped Her and Changed Her Name

A school bus driver in Colombia was arrested after authorities say he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a girl who escaped after 12 years in captivity. 

Carlos Humberto Grisales Higuita was arrested on charges of simple kidnapping, sexual abuse with a minor under 14 years of age, sexual acts with a minor under 14 years of age and pornography with a person under 18 years of age, the country’s attorney general’s office said in a press conference.

Prosecutors allege that Grisales Higuita kidnapped the girl when she was 7 years old in 2012 and took her to a home in Medellín’s city center. For years, he allegedly sexually assaulted her and manipulated her into believing what was happening to her was normal, the A.G.’s office claims.

During the 12 years in which the girl was missing, prosecutors say Grisales Hiiguita changed her name and moved her to different locations in Medellín and Bello, Antioquia.

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The girl was also taken out of school and kept from communicating with others while in captivity, authorities say.

When she turned 16, prosecutors say the girl confronted Grisales Higuita about how he was allegedly treating her. He allegedly responded by locking her in the home, from which she ultimately escaped in February 2024.

Grisales was arrested by National Police in Medellín. Prosecutors say he denied the charges he is currently facing.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.