Christopher “Kio” Dizefalo, a parking valet in San Francisco, has been charged with having sex with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child stealing in relation to the case of 16-year-old Mint Butterfield. Mint is the child of Stewart Butterfield, the co-founder of Slack, and Caterina Fake, the co-founder of Flickr, and comes from a wealthy family. Mint, who identifies as non-binary, left home voluntarily and was considered at risk due to previous suicide threats. Mint was reported missing by their mother and found safe nearly a week later in Dizefalo’s van in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District.
Dizefalo allegedly had a “quasi-dating relationship” with Mint, despite being ten years older than them. The details of their relationship are unclear. Dizefalo has been accused of influencing and sexually assaulting Mint, which led to the charges against him. This is the first time Dizefalo has been booked in Marin County. He is currently being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday morning. The charges against him include unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child stealing.
The arrest of Dizefalo and the discovery of Mint in his van occurred after Mint had been missing for nearly a week. Mint had left a note for their parents indicating their intention to run away. Mint’s mother reported them missing the following morning, and missing posters were distributed across San Francisco in an effort to find the teenager. Mint was eventually found safe alongside Dizefalo in the Tenderloin District. The situation raised concerns about the safety and well-being of Mint, especially given their previous suicide threats.
The charges against Dizefalo are serious, as they involve sexual assault, child stealing, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The allegations of a quasi-dating relationship between Dizefalo and Mint raise further questions about the nature of their interactions and the potential abuse of power dynamics. The fact that Mint comes from a wealthy family adds another layer of complexity to the case. Mint’s parents, Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake, are both successful tech entrepreneurs, and this high-profile case has garnered attention from the media and the public.
The case of Mint Butterfield and Christopher Dizefalo highlights the dangers and vulnerabilities that minors can face, especially when dealing with individuals who may abuse their trust. The charges against Dizefalo reflect the seriousness of the situation and the need to protect minors from potential exploitation and harm. The relationship between Mint and Dizefalo, as well as the circumstances surrounding Mint’s disappearance and subsequent discovery, have raised concerns about the safety and protection of minors in vulnerable situations.
The arrest and charges against Dizefalo have shed light on the complexities of the case and the potential risks faced by minors in similar situations. The involvement of law enforcement and legal authorities in addressing the situation underscores the importance of protecting minors from harm and exploitation. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and action in safeguarding the well-being of minors, particularly in situations where they may be vulnerable to abuse or manipulation.
