Ohio AG walks back comments casting doubt on juvenile rape case

Gerson Fuentes, 27, was arraigned on Wednesday in Columbus. He’s confessed to raping the girl at least twice, a police investigator testified at the arraignment, the Daily Mail reported.

Fuentes faces a charge of felony first degree rape of a child under 13. Bail was set at $2 million.

A detective testified that the victim travelled to Indiana to get an abortion after Roe v Wade was overturned, and Ohio made it illegal to receive an abortion after six weeks — a claim that Yost and other conservatives cast doubt upon days ahead of the arraignment.

Yost changed his tune Wednesday, saying, "My heart aches for the pain suffered by this young child." He did not address his previous claim that the ordeal was fabricated.

"I am grateful for the diligent work of the Columbus Police Department in securing a confession and getting a rapist off the street," the Republican attorney general said in a statement.

State investigators are "ready to support law enforcement across Ohio putting these criminals behind bars," Yost said.

US President Joe Biden used the case to criticize the Dobbs ruling, while abortion opponents, including Yost, cast doubt on the story.

Wednesday's testimony ended dispute over the facts surrounding the girl's abortion.

The victim had an abortion on June 30, one day after receiving a medical consultation. She was just days past the ban on abortions after six weeks.