Argentina confirms prison sentences for family in child marriage trafficking case

The Argentine Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation has upheld a ten-year prison sentence for a family involved in the human trafficking and forced marriage of a 13-year-old girl. The defendants, identified as Isabel and Alberto Cristo along with their son Franco Cristo, were found guilty of capturing, transporting, and exploiting the minor.

The case began in Neuquén in 2022, where the girl was reportedly handed over to the family in exchange for a “dowry price” of 825,000 pesos. She was forced into a union with Franco Cristo, who was 20 at the time. The victim was subsequently moved to Santa Fe, where she endured years of sexual, domestic, and labor exploitation. Judicial records detail that she suffered physical abuse, including being burned with cigarettes and hot water, and was forced into street vending while being required to surrender all earnings to her captors.

In his ruling, Judge Daniel Petrone rejected the defense's argument that the actions were justified by the cultural customs of the Roma community, stating that such traditions “do not constitute a valid basis to evade criminal responsibility.” In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered a financial reparation of 75 million pesos to be paid to the victim.