One parent recalls the day authorities detained the man known locally as Cristóbal LC, a fruit grower from Valdeavero in the Madrid region. The mother describes how her eight-year-old child learned about the arrest at school and asked why he had been taken away. She explained that the reason related to sexual abuse, but the child struggled to grasp what that meant. When she tried to further explain what sexual abuse entailed, the boy replied that he had done something similar to the girl. This confession is part of what led the family to realize that their son had become a victim of a certain type of abuse.
Cristóbal, now 50, was taken into custody on multiple allegations tied to the sexual assault of minors. He is alleged to have preyed on more than a dozen boys under the age of 16 who lived in the town. On 4 October, the Regional Court of Madrid imposed a sentence of 19 years in prison. Twelve individuals faced charges related to sexual assault involving a 15-year-old, and seven more faced counts of corruption of minors. The report from El Periódico de España notes that several of these cases were distinct yet mirror the offenses to be addressed in October 2024 as sexual assaults against minors unfold in court.
prison and freedom
The Valdeavero case began with a December 2020 arrest, followed by a release in October 2021 after a judge determined that Cristóbal did not present a flight risk. Families gathered in Valdeavero to protest, challenging the decision and voicing their concerns for the victims. Nine days after the release, the Madrid Provincial Court ordered his re-imprisonment in response to the needs of the victims and their families. The underage victims who were attacked continue to live in the town and remain wary of crossing paths with the person who harmed them years ago.
El Periódico de España spoke with two direct relatives of the boys who were allegedly abused by the town’s fruit vendor. The mother and grandmother of the two victims, ages 8 and 10 at the time, chose to remain anonymous to protect the minors. They express relief at the prospect of the convicted offender being behind bars, while also reflecting on the enduring impact on their children and families.
Trust is earned
“The pattern began when Cristóbal opened a small grocery store in town and neighbors would sit outside the door under pine trees to catch a breath of fresh air,” recalls the grandmother of one of the young men, describing the boy as open and needing special attention due to ADHD. He had not seen his father for a long time, and the vendor’s son was a frequent playmate. The grandmother notes that Cristóbal used those casual interactions to build trust, often inviting children to his store or to a pool at his home. It was during these occasions that the abuse took place, with inappropriate touching and, in some instances, acts of sexual exploitation despite the children’s refusals, as described by relatives and investigators.
Many families say they trusted Cristóbal because he appeared friendly and accommodating. They recall worries about rumors of his influence over children who spent time around his business. A grandmother explains that she never fully trusted him, as more than one family interacted with him at the pool and in town, raising concerns about how he related to the youngsters.
Obsessively
The situation grew more troubling as the predators’ reach seemed to extend beyond a single circle. A mother of a victim explains that her son did not socialize with Cristóbal’s own child’s group, yet there were familiar faces in common areas of town. The couple described Cristóbal as a person who presented himself as a trusted neighbor who helped around the house, which concealed a dangerous pattern that affected multiple families. The revelation of the abuse came when the offender was arrested, prompting others to come forward and highlight how their children were affected. One grandmother recalls learning of the events through testimony that referenced the case, and she remembers the moment when her own child’s suffering was confirmed by medical and psychological assessments. The families immediately sought help from authorities and medical professionals to support their children through the long healing process, which included ongoing psychiatric and educational treatment. The toll on families was severe, with several parents and relatives moving through episodes of fear, anger, and resolve to pursue justice for their minors.
In one account, a grandparent states that the child’s behavior changed markedly after the abuse and that support services were essential in helping navigate the aftermath. The legal process has been arduous, with the families seeking accountability and a sense of closure after years of trauma. The ongoing work of medical professionals and social services remains crucial for the victims as they grow and heal. The families emphasize that the pursuit of justice aims not only at punishment but also at preventing future harm for other children in the community, alongside the need for long-term mental health support.
traumas
Progress has been uneven, with moments of apparent improvement followed by renewed fear. One parent describes watching a child who sometimes awakens at night and shows persistent vigilance about strangers approaching their home. The experience of stigma and anxiety has affected the entire family, casting a long shadow over daily life. A neighbor notes that the affected child sometimes asks about the offender and whether he remains nearby, which underscores the lingering anxiety despite progress in treatment. The process has demanded patience and resilience from all those touched by the events, as families continue to support the minor victims and adapt to the changes they have endured.
A close family friend adds that another child involved in the case has also undergone psychological support and is currently stable. He acknowledges that occasional questions about the offender surface as part of the healing process, and families strive to shield the youngsters from renewed distress while remaining engaged with clinicians and counselors. The legal matters have drawn attention to the broader community, with advocates from local associations supporting the families and guiding them through the legal and emotional journey. The collective effort remains focused on protecting children while ensuring accountability for the offenses committed years earlier.
As the proceedings unfold, the families and their representatives emphasize that the case is about more than individual punishment. They seek to restore a sense of safety for children in the town and to reinforce the importance of reporting abuse promptly. The Clara Campoamor Association has provided assistance to the families by serving as a grassroots advocate in the public legal process. The broader community continues to work toward normalcy while recognizing the lasting impact on young victims who endured abuse from someone who was trusted in their circle.