A top Colorado prosecutor is facing a recall effort after her office announced it would drop all charges against a transgender sex offender accused of attempting to abduct a child from an elementary school last year.
Amy Padden, the Democratic District Attorney for Colorado’s 18th Judicial District, drew widespread outrage after her office said it had no choice but to drop the case against Solomon Galligan, 33, who was found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Galligan — a registered sex offender — was arrested in April 2024 after allegedly attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old boy from Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora. Surveillance footage showed a man chasing and grabbing at children during recess before being subdued by school staff.
Despite the severity of the incident, Padden’s office said that under Colorado law, they were required to drop criminal charges once Galligan was ruled incompetent and committed to a mental health facility.
“When a defendant is found mentally incompetent to proceed and is being civilly committed for mental health treatment, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges,” said spokesman Eric Ross.
Galligan
Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter
VIEW MORE NEWS