American in trouble
A 72-year-old American retiree who was arrested last Tuesday for allegedly living in with a 17-year-old girl, is facing a complaint of human trafficking and child abuse before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Allan Nielsen of Oregon, USA, is living in Sibonga town in southern Cebu.
He was arrested after the mother of his estranged Filipina wife reported to police that the American was living together with a teenager.
The girl was “rescued” by police and placed in the custody of the municipal social worker, said PO2 Ederlino Bacusmo, police investigator.
Nielsen denied having sexual contact with the girl. He said he brought the girl to his home with the parents’ consent so that she could take care of him considering that he was old and had no relatives in the country.
Senior Insp. Rolando Antipolo, Sibonga Police Station chief, told Cebu Daily News the teenager had been seen with Nielsen around town, but it didn’t look unusual since the girl was his househelper.
“The girl came from a poor family and gave birth four months ago but was left by the father of her child. Nielsen, who has gained a good reputation in our place in his 10 years here, may have extended his help to the teenager,” Antipolo told CDN.
“We never thought that they were living together since we frequently saw the minor inside the house doing the usual household chores. But the teenager’s statement suggests and confirms that they had a romantic relationship,” Antipolo said.
He said the girl has been staying in the American’s home since June 9.
A complaint of human trafficking in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Law Protecting Children was filed against Nielsen yesterday.