A Miami judge on Monday, April 20, 2026, sentenced Leonardo Venegas to 30 years in prison after a jury convicted him of kidnapping and child abuse in the attempted 2023 abduction of a six-year-old girl. The child, Ah'Lyric, was six at the time of the July 2023 attack and has since been widely praised for fighting back and getting away. Venegas stayed silent at the defense table as the sentence was handed down.
Judge Says Public Safety Trumps Family's Pleas
According to NBC 6 South Florida, Judge Lody Jean addressed Venegas's relatives in court, saying, "I feel for the family. They care about him. They are very hopeful, but hope doesn't help me protect the community," before imposing the 30-year term. The court also designated Venegas a sexual predator. His attorney, Howard Srebnick, told reporters he plans to appeal and said Venegas may be deported to Argentina after serving his time. Prosecutors had pushed for a long sentence, arguing that the evidence and circumstances warranted a stiff penalty.
How The Courtyard Attack Unfolded
Miami police say the incident began on July 6, 2023, as the girl played in the courtyard of her apartment complex and a white Range Rover pulled up nearby. According to a Miami Police news release, the suspect grabbed the child's arm and tried to carry her away. She bit his arm, forcing him to drop her, and he then slapped her and sped off. Detectives arrested Venegas two days later. The department's release stated that investigators used surveillance footage along with the girl's consistent account to identify Venegas and charge him with kidnapping and child abuse.
Trial And Verdict
A jury found Venegas guilty last November of kidnapping and child abuse after deliberating for about two hours, according to earlier reporting by NBC 6 South Florida. Prosecutors argued that Venegas targeted vulnerable neighborhoods. Defense attorneys countered that the girl had misidentified him and pointed to his church involvement and strong family support. Those clashing versions unfolded through testimony, surveillance video and closing arguments before jurors returned their verdict.
Neighborhood Rallies Around Young Survivor
Local groups and officials have publicly praised Ah'Lyric for her quick thinking. The Miami-Dade NAACP awarded her a junior lifetime membership after the 2023 incident, according to CBS Miami. The case has put fresh focus on child safety in apartment courtyards and public-housing areas in northeast Miami-Dade, with law-enforcement officials urging residents to report suspicious activity. Authorities have also asked anyone with information about other possible victims to contact the Miami Police Robbery Unit.
Legal Notes
In addition to the 30-year prison term, Venegas's sexual-predator designation could bring long-term registration or monitoring requirements tied to Florida post-conviction rules. His attorney has said he will appeal the sentence, and the defense has highlighted possible immigration consequences once he is released from prison. Any appeal would move through Florida's courts and could take months before any part of the sentence, designation or related orders is changed.
