Trans Sex Offender WALKS FREE After Child Grab

A registered sex offender with a decade-long criminal history walked free after a fourth felony charge dismissal, this time for attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old boy from a Colorado elementary school playground in broad daylight.

Story Snapshot

Solomon Galligan, a transgender registered sex offender, grabbed an 11-year-old boy during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in April 2024, captured on surveillance video
Prosecutors dropped attempted kidnapping charges after Galligan was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial—marking the fourth time felony charges have been dismissed on competency grounds
The suspect faces only civil mental health commitment with no guaranteed long-term secure facility, potentially allowing release back into the community
Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley publicly criticized Colorado’s mental competency laws as deficient, calling for legislative reform to protect public safety
Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky moved to recall District Attorney Amy Padden over the case handling, highlighting growing frustration with the criminal justice system

Fourth Felony Dismissal Sparks Public Outrage

Solomon Galligan, now using the name Carmen, faces no criminal prosecution despite video evidence showing the 33-year-old chasing and grabbing an 11-year-old boy during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Arapahoe County, Colorado. The child escaped only after Galligan tripped on a blanket. Arrested later at a nearby Walgreens, Galligan showed signs of intoxication with white powder on the face and smelling of alcohol, according to the victim’s report. This marks the fourth time in over a decade that felony charges against Galligan have been dismissed due to mental incompetency rulings.

Pattern of Dismissals Raises Safety Concerns

Galligan’s criminal history spans more than ten years, including incarcerations for serious offenses like assault. Each time, mental competency evaluations have prevented prosecution, allowing the registered sex offender to avoid accountability despite escalating behavior. The April 2024 schoolyard incident represents a disturbing pattern where Colorado’s legal framework prioritizes mental health determinations over community protection. Parents and local residents express fear that someone with this documented history could potentially return to their neighborhoods after civil treatment, with no guarantee of secure long-term confinement.

Prosecutors Condemn Legal Loopholes

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley publicly criticized Colorado’s mental competency statutes as fundamentally deficient, specifically pointing to the lack of provisions for secure civil commitment facilities. The District Attorney’s office stated it was legally prohibited from discussing case details but confirmed Galligan is being civilly committed to mental health treatment. However, Brackley emphasized that current law provides no mechanism to ensure individuals deemed non-restorable to competency remain in secure facilities long-term. This legal gap leaves communities vulnerable when treatment concludes, as civil commitments typically lack the permanent security measures of criminal incarceration.

Political Fallout and Reform Demands

The case ignited political action when Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky moved to recall District Attorney Amy Padden in July 2025, arguing the office failed to adequately protect children. Prosecutors and elected officials across political lines increasingly recognize that mental health considerations, while important, cannot completely supersede public safety when repeat offenders target vulnerable populations. The formal dismissal motion proceeded by the end of August 2025, despite surveillance footage clearly documenting the attempted abduction. This outcome exemplifies growing frustration among everyday Americans who feel the justice system serves legal technicalities rather than protecting families and children from documented threats.