12-Year-Old Girl, Who Gave Birth After Reported Sexual Abuse, at the Center of Case That Led to Arrest of Raymundo Juan Reyes Cornelio, 19, on Child Rape Charges
In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves throughout Tennessee and beyond, Metro Nashville Police have arrested and charged 19-year-old Raymundo Juan Reyes Cornelio in connection with the sexual abuse of a young girl who was only 11 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. The child, who recently turned 12, gave birth to a baby boy earlier this year — a deeply tragic outcome that has served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect minors from online predators and to support survivors and their families through unthinkable trauma.
At the heart of this investigation is a child whose name will not be publicly released due to legal and ethical considerations. But her voice, her story, and the journey toward justice remain the central focus of the unfolding case.
A Child’s Brave Disclosure
According to Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the case began with a moment of courage: the child disclosed to authorities that she had been the victim of sexual abuse by an adult male whom she had met on Facebook — a platform where she was likely ill-equipped to navigate the dangers posed by manipulative adults.
In May 2024, when she was just 11 years old, she reportedly began communicating online with Cornelio, a 19-year-old man residing in Davidson County. What followed were interactions that, according to police, escalated into sexual contact. These actions culminated in the child becoming pregnant — a medical and emotional ordeal that no child should ever have to face.
Her decision to speak out, despite her age, fear, and likely confusion, has now opened a door to justice — not just for herself, but potentially for others.
“This is a child who should have been in a classroom, not a delivery room,” said one MNPD officer close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity. “She should be learning how to ride a bike, not raise a child.”
How Police Traced the Suspect
The case was referred to MNPD’s Youth Services Division, a highly trained unit that investigates child exploitation, sexual abuse, and related crimes. Working in tandem with social services and child advocacy professionals, detectives conducted a meticulous investigation.
The child reportedly provided details that enabled detectives to obtain a search warrant for the suspect’s Facebook account, where they discovered communication threads, contact information, and other data linking the account to Raymundo Juan Reyes Cornelio.
Detectives were able to identify Cornelio definitively during a traffic stop on March 1, 2025, for a window tint violation. He was cited for driving without a license, and his residential information in Davidson County was noted — a seemingly routine infraction that would later provide the critical link needed to bring him into custody.
Authorities executed the arrest on Friday, April 11, without incident. During a post-arrest interview, Cornelio reportedly admitted to having sexual contact with the child but claimed he believed she was 14 years old at the time. However, police reports and testimony indicate that the girl was just 11 years old — making any sexual contact an automatic felony under Tennessee law, which defines such acts as rape of a child when the victim is under 13.
The Aftermath: A Child, a Birth, and a Family Forever Changed
On February 14, 2025, the 12-year-old girl gave birth to a baby boy. Though the child was physically able to carry the pregnancy to term, the **medical, psychological, and emotional risks
