A 67-year-old California man has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child after authorities allege he preyed on children at the unlicensed daycare center he operated, officials announced.
The suspect was taken into custody following an investigation by local law enforcement into allegations of sexual abuse occurring at the childcare facility, which he ran alongside his wife. The investigation began after complaints were filed regarding inappropriate conduct at the residence-based operation.
Background
The alleged crimes occurred at a residential property in California where the couple operated what appeared to be an unlicensed childcare service, according to investigators. Parents who enrolled their children at the facility believed they were utilizing a legitimate daycare operation, authorities stated. The investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly engaged in lewd and lascivious conduct with one or more children entrusted to his care over an extended period.
The Charges
The man has been charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, a felony offense under California penal code. He was arrested without incident and is currently being held at a county detention facility pending arraignment. His wife has not been charged in connection with the alleged offenses, though investigators indicate their inquiry remains active.
Key Takeaways
- Suspect is a 67-year-old California man operating an unlicensed daycare
- Charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under age 14
- Daycare was operated from a residential property alongside his wife
- Investigation began after complaints were filed regarding inappropriate conduct
- Suspect is being held at county detention facility pending arraignment
What's Next
The suspect is expected to be formally arraigned on the charges within the coming weeks. Authorities are urging any additional victims or parents with information about the daycare operation to contact local law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing, and investigators have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as more information comes to light.