Utah-based
OUR Rescue provided critical training, cyber tools and K-9 support
to aid in arrest
QUITO,
Ecuador, July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On
July 10, in partnership with teams
from OUR Rescue and U.S. law enforcement, Ecuadorian authorities
successfully apprehended a well-known pediatrician on charges of
both the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material
(CSAM) through online sites around the world, including to
the United States. The 63-year-old
pediatrician, Pablo Aníbal I.P., has been under investigation since
March of 2024, after police received a tip that he was creating
CSAM of his patients, ranging in age from 8-12 years old.
"Thanks to the trust that our law enforcement partners have
placed in OUR Rescue and our leadership in Ecuador, we were able to assist them with the
cyber tools, technology, and training they needed to identify and
arrest this suspected predator," said Tammy
Lee, OUR Rescue CEO. "This operation and others like it
would not have been possible without support from our generous
donors, who are committed to helping us expand this critical
movement to protect and rescue children and women worldwide."
OUR Rescue's assistance in the operation included the on-site
support of Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Rosco and his
handler, Lt. John Haning, from
Rogers County Sheriff's Office in
Oklahoma. "We worked alongside
police on the scene to find additional evidence that will aid in
the prosecution of this dangerous man, who is a threat to
Quito's innocent children,"
Tammy Lee added. Trained to detect a
specific chemical scent found in electronic storage devices, Rosco
located two small SD cards and one cellphone that were not found in
the initial search. Rosco also served as essential emotional
support to those on scene.
A spokesperson for the National Police's digital patrol unit
emphasized, "We are committed to eradicating child exploitation in
all its forms. This operation underscores our dedication to
safeguarding our children and ensuring that perpetrators are
brought to justice."
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children (NCMEC), there were 88 million CSAM files reported to
their CyberTipline in 2022. OUR Rescue was honored to work
alongside the local Prosecutor's Office, the National
Police, and the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, among other federal agencies, to see
this operation to completion and support this vital work.
Following the arrest, the Prosecutor's Office in Ecuador released a statement via X,
reaffirming their commitment to protecting children and ensuring
that justice is served promptly. An arraignment hearing for Pablo
Aníbal I.P. is expected in the coming days.
Tammy Lee concluded, "OUR Rescue
is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and partner with
agencies around the world committed to this important work."
About OUR Rescue
We are leaders in the fight against child sexual exploitation
and human trafficking worldwide.
Our work spans the globe as we assist law enforcement in rescue
efforts and help provide survivor care to all those affected. While
we prioritize children, we work to empower the liberation of anyone
suffering at the hands of those looking to sexually exploit. We
offer vital resources to authorities around the world and work
tirelessly to raise awareness and meet survivors on their healing
journey. https://ourrescue.org
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