Judge orders pretrial detention for suspect in disappearance and death of two children

A judge in Tena has ordered pretrial detention for Jerson Damián Perugachi Grefa regarding the alleged involuntary disappearance resulting in death of two siblings in Napo province. The victims, identified as 11-year-old Flor Aracely Alvarado and 8-year-old Leodan Andi Alvarado, disappeared on October 30, 2026, after leaving the Elicio Olalla Educational Unit in the Santa Rosa sector of the Puerto Napo parish. The bodies of the children were located on a farm in a rugged area of the Tena canton on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

The investigation and arrest

The arrest of Jerson Damián Perugachi Grefa occurred during the early morning hours of Thursday, November 12, 2026, between 03:00 and 04:00. According to official reports, the National Police's National Directorate of Investigation of Crimes Against Life (Dinased) analyzed security camera footage to reconstruct the route taken by the children. This footage showed the children boarding a motorcycle driven by a man after they finished school activities around 10:30 on October 30, 2026.

Police conducted three searches, known as allanamientos, during the investigation. During the first two searches, investigators found the clothing and the motorcycle that had been seen in the security camera footage. The bodies of the children were eventually located on a farm with the assistance of trained dogs. While the investigation has progressed, officials noted that the suspect provided contradictory statements during the process.

Legal proceedings and official response

Following the arrest, a judge in Tena ordered pretrial detention for Jerson Damián Perugachi Grefa for the crime of alleged involuntary disappearance resulting in death. The judge has set a 90-day period for the fiscal instruction phase of the investigation to continue. Minister of the Interior John Reimberg stated, "The child killer is already in prison and identified his name and face."

The search for the children involved the activation of the Emilia Alert on November 1, 2026, which is a protocol used to assist in finding missing persons. While the investigation continues, there remains some uncertainty regarding the exact location of the children's home, as different sources have described the location as Vista Anzu or La Victoria.

Next steps in the case

The legal process will now move through the fiscal instruction phase, which is scheduled to last 90 days. During this time, prosecutors will continue to gather evidence to support the charges against Jerson Damián Perugachi Grefa. The case remains under investigation by the authorities in Napo province to ensure all facts regarding the disappearance and the deaths of Flor Aracely Alvarado and Leodan Andi Alvarado are fully documented.

Glossary

• allanamientos — Searches conducted during an investigation. These are used by police to find evidence.