Misiones, Argentina: 17‑year‑old kidnaps and assaults 7‑year‑old girl, now in juvenile detention

In the town of Campo Grande, Misiones Province, a 7‑year‑old girl was abducted by a 17‑year‑old male while walking to a nearby shop. Private security cameras recorded the teenager chasing the child, covering her mouth and dragging her into a nearby thicket, where he is believed to have attempted sexual abuse. The girl's father noticed the struggle, intervened and forced the suspect to release his daughter, who escaped unharmed. Police used the video footage to identify and locate the adolescent, detaining him a few hours later. He has been placed in the Centro Modelo de Asistencia y Seguimiento de Menores en Conflicto con la Ley, pending further judicial proceedings. The victim is receiving medical, psychological and legal assistance as investigators continue to collect evidence of the alleged sexual assault.

The case has prompted a focused police operation in Campo Grande and heightened community concern over child safety, while authorities emphasize protocols for rapid response and support for victims of sexual violence.