International MANHUNT Underway – Suspect Fled U.S!

Documents and binder labeled Investigations on desk.

A Hollywood piano teacher vanished into thin air the same day a jury convicted him of sexually abusing a teenage student, leaving law enforcement scrambling to track down a fugitive who exploited his celebrity connections to prey on children.

Story Snapshot

John Kaleel, 69, fled the United States immediately after his October 8, 2025 conviction on five counts of sexual abuse
The Australian piano teacher exploited his access to Hollywood families’ children through private lessons
He was released without bail during proceedings, enabling his escape despite facing potential deportation
Law enforcement agencies are pursuing extradition but his whereabouts remain unknown

The Celebrity Connection That Enabled Predatory Behavior

Kaleel built his reputation teaching children of Hollywood professionals, leveraging testimonials and industry connections to gain access to vulnerable minors. The 69-year-old Australian citizen used his website and social media presence to promote his credentials, featuring endorsements that have since been removed following the allegations. Some creators who appeared in testimonials have denied any association with the convicted predator.

The victim, who was 15 at the time of the abuse in 2013, testified that Kaleel measured his genitalia and later coerced him into sexual acts through FaceTime and in-person encounters. The abuse included providing marijuana to the minor and forcing oral sex, demonstrating a calculated pattern of grooming and exploitation.

Legal System Failures That Allowed an Escape

Kaleel’s flight exposes critical gaps in the justice system’s handling of convicted sex offenders. Despite his conviction on serious felony charges and previous legal troubles, he was released without bail during trial proceedings. Former Los Angeles County prosecutor Dmitry Gorin noted that while fleeing before sentencing is rare, it occurs when defendants face lengthy prison terms and deportation.

The case’s timeline reveals a troubling pattern of legal maneuvering that ultimately benefited the predator. In 2016, Kaleel initially pleaded no contest to a lewd act with a minor but later attempted to overturn the plea due to deportation risks. He successfully challenged deportation proceedings in 2019, buying himself years of freedom that he used to continue his alleged predatory behavior.

International Manhunt Underway

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office have filed for an extradition warrant but declined to provide details about their efforts to locate Kaleel. His defense attorney, Kate Hardie, reported losing contact with her client before the verdict was announced, suggesting the escape was premeditated.

Convicted child predator: Free without bail. Deportation looming: Flees country. Justice system: Surprised Pikachu face. https://t.co/4PWrxBIJV5

— funny Farm (@invincible36198) October 24, 2025

The fugitive’s Australian citizenship complicates extradition efforts, potentially providing him refuge in a country with different legal standards and procedures. Law enforcement agencies face the challenge of coordinating across international boundaries while working with limited information about his exact whereabouts or travel plans.