Sentence for child sexual abuse at Las Piedras temple
A man who led an Umbandist temple in Las Piedras was sentenced for child abuse after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses against two girls. The sentence for child abuse exceeds 15 years in prison and was handed down by the Canelones court after an investigation that revealed serious incidents that occurred during religious activities.
The initial complaint was filed in 2024 by the family of a 12-year-old girl. From then on, the Las Piedras Specialized Police Station on Domestic and Gender Violence began gathering evidence that confirmed a series of serious incidents. According to official sources, the victims were between 8 and 12 years old at the time of the abuse.
Canelones Prosecutor's Office obtained convictions for multiple sexual offenses
Prosecutor Cecilia Gutiérrez, in charge of the case, explained that the defendant was charged with several offenses: repeated rape, violent indecent assault, and sexual abuse . All were considered actual repeated offenses, which increased the sentence to 15 years and two months in prison.
The most serious incidents occurred inside the church and at the defendant's home, where the girls spent the night during religious activities. There were also reports of groping during outings and when the parents were present, although they failed to notice what was happening.
Las Piedras shocked by conviction in spiritual context
The local community was shocked by the scale of the case , which involves religious practices and family trust. According to the prosecutor, the families took their daughters to the temple without suspecting what was happening behind closed doors. The judicial process included testimony, expert reports, and reconstruction of the events.
The conviction sets a precedent in the region and reinforces the importance of monitoring in spaces where minors participate. The case was covered by national media and sparked debate about the regulation of spiritual centers.
