The daddy of an autistic boy allegedly caught an in-home behavioral therapist molesting his son on the household’s Backyard Grove residence, in line with the Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
Salvador Armando Arriaga, a 32-year-old worker of Behavioral Well being Works, is now dealing with a felony rely of committing a lewd and lascivious act with a baby below the age of 14, court docket information present, with prosecutors alleging he went into the boy’s dwelling with the intent of molesting him.
Prosecutors allege that on Sept. 18, 2024 Arriaga was holding a remedy session within the boy’s bed room whereas the boy’s father was caring for an additional youngster within the household’s front room. The daddy turned involved when he now not heard any dialog coming from his son’s room, prosecutors added.
The daddy discovered Arriaga and his son in a walk-in closet contained in the boy’s bed room, prosecutors mentioned. The boy’s pants have been down, prosecutors allege, and Arriaga was on his knees along with his head close to the son’s lap.
Prosecutors say Arriaga tried to flee by way of a bed room window after which ran out a door, however later returned whereas officers from the Backyard Grove Police Division have been nonetheless on the residence.
Officers arrested Arriaga that day, and investigators continued to look into the allegations over the subsequent a number of months. The felony cost was filed after detectives discovered further proof, together with DNA proof, in line with the DA’s workplace.
“Mr. Arriaga is entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence,” Legal professional Jacqueline Goodman, who’s representing Arriaga, mentioned in response to the allegations. “We are thoroughly investigating and will address all charges in court, where facts, not prejudicial narratives, should prevail.”
Officers with Behavioral Well being Works didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark about Arriaga’s employment standing or the allegations.
Arriaga has pleaded not responsible to the felony cost, court docket information present, and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. If convicted, he faces as much as 25 years to life in jail.
Authorities are asking anybody with details about Arriaga to contact Backyard Grove police investigators at 714-741-5872.
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