In a recent development, it has been revealed that a man who allegedly tied two children to furniture inside a residence in Alexandria, Virginia back in 2024 has been apprehended by officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This information was shared by the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27 for a hearing related to a child cruelty case from 2024, as reported by Fairfax County courts. However, during the hearing, the judge issued a capias warrant for his arrest due to his failure to appear in court. Currently, officials have confirmed that he is no longer in the custody of Fairfax County.
According to officials, Guevara was in the United States unlawfully.
Two adults have been arrested in Fairfax County after authorities discovered children who had been chained to furniture in a residence. The shocking incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our communities. It is crucial that we remain vigilant and report any signs of child abuse or neglect to the authorities. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility, and we must work together to create a safe environment for them to thrive in.
According to the criminal complaint, Rodriguez, the children’s mother, and Guevara told police that they would chain the children by the ankles to “scare them” so they wouldn’t leave the apartment. Responding officers saw a chain wrapped around a post next to a sleeping cot.
The criminal complaint stated that the youngsters had “visible marks on their ankles that were consistent with the shape and size of the chains.”
When 7News approached Chief Kevin Davis about the issue during an unrelated press appearance in 2024, he described it as “very sad” and “very sick.”.
“The two patrol officers who were knocking on that door, when they were communicating or attempting to communicate with the occupants, they literally heard chains rattling in the background,” he said, crediting the officers’ detective work that led to the arrests.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the children sent a picture of his foot chained up to his sister via the roommate’s phone, who subsequently called 911. According to the complaint, both suspects agreed that the photo was in their flat, and Del Cid Rodriguez alleged that she told Viera Guevara “to scare them with the chain” as they were discussing the boy’s behavior.
