Medellin Child Exploitation Case Inquiry Reveals Police Failure

The current investigation by Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office into the alleged Medellin child exploitation case involving American citizen Timothy Alan Livingston has revealed significant failures by the police officers in handling the file. Indeed, after being detained for being caught with two underage girls at a hotel in El Poblado, Medellin, the American suspect was quickly released, and traveled back to the U.S.

Progress in Medellin child trafficking investigation

While the initial report suggested that the American citizen’s quick release was due to a lack of material evidence, the investigation by the Attorney General’s Office has proven otherwise. On the night of Thursday, March 28, 2024, Timothy Alan Livingston was discovered in his room with two Colombian girls, aged 12 and 13, respectively. Upon entering the apartment, police officers found the American lying in his jacuzzi with the two minors, with drugs and used condoms lying in the bathroom.

Despite the abundance of material evidence, the police officers did not seal the room, allowing hotel employees to clean up the traces of the misdeeds. Hence, after being held in custody for 12 hours, from the night of Thursday, March 28, to Friday, March 29, 2024, Livingston’s premature release allowed him to catch the first flight to the United States.

No formal extradition request

This new alleged child exploitation case in Medellin has sparked outrage in Colombia, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro announcing that he will seek an extradition request against the suspect. On Friday, April 5, 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant against the American citizen for “alleged sexual exploitation” of two minors in Medellin.

Sex tourism and child trafficking have become increasingly worrying issues in Medellin and Colombia, sparking public declarations from high-profile Colombian politicians, including Vice President Francia Marquez. Ultimately, the mayor of Medellin, Federico Gutierrez, has launched a public campaign against sex tourism, prohibiting prostitution in the El Poblado neighborhood, a hotspot for sex tourism in Medellin and Colombia, and imposing a curfew on the Parque Lleras nightclubs, which were heavily involved in and benefiting from this activity.