Neuquén residents protest house‑arrest ruling for convicted sexual abuser

A court in Neuquén granted house‑arrest to a businessman sentenced for the sexual abuse of his step‑daughter over a 19‑year period. The decision allowed him to serve his penalty in a local residence rather than a prison.

Neighbors in the barrio learned of the ruling hours before a national soccer match and expressed strong opposition, citing safety concerns for children and the psychological impact of having the convicted offender nearby. A resident said, “It’s terrible, super traumatic. The kids don’t want to leave the houses.” Community leaders demanded a social‑impact assessment before such measures are applied, arguing that the lack of an environmental‑social report ignored the broader harm to the neighbourhood. The Child and Adolescent Defense Office has become involved, urging authorities to consider the welfare of minors.

The controversy highlights tensions between legal provisions for house‑arrest and public expectations of protection and accountability in cases of severe sexual crimes.