A THERAPIST was caught allegedly molesting a 14-year-old boy with autism during a session when the child’s father checked in on the pair.
Salvador Armando Arriaga, 32, from Anaheim, California, has pleaded not guilty to molesting the child at his home in Garden Grove in September.
Charged with suspicion of committing a lewd act on a minor under the age of 14, he was accused after the child’s father asserted that he found him in a walk-in closet with his son, who reportedly had his pants down.
Having previously worked with the boy, Arriaga was in the middle of an in-home therapy session in the child’s room when the father stumbled upon the alarming situation.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said the therapist was working for Behavioural Health Works at the time.
According to prosecutors, the father of the boy was looking after another child in the residence but opted to go upstairs to check on his son when he noticed that the conversation between the two had ceased.
At first he could not see them in the bedroom until he opened the closet door and allegedly found the therapist molesting his half-naked son.
“When he opened the door of the walk-in closet, he found his son with his pants down and the boy’s therapist on his knees with his head near his son’s lap,” prosecutors said.
When he confronted Arriaga, he allegedly tried to flee through the window before running out the door.
The child’s father immediately called the police and after Arriaga allegedly changed his shirt, he returned to the boy’s home while officers were still in attendance, prosecutors said.
Officers investigated the allegations for months and eventually charged Arriaga after finding additional evidence, including DNA, the DA’s office said.
Police fear there may be other potential victims and have asked for those with any further information about Arriaga to contact the Garden Grove Police Department.
As well as facing one count of lewd act on a minor, he is also facing “an allegation that he went into the child’s home with the intent to molest him,” prosecutors added.
Meanwhile, Arriaga maintains his innocence following his arraignment at the West Justice Center in Westminster on Thursday.
His lawyer has released a statement ahead of the next court date.
Jacqueline Goodman told City News Service he is “entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
“We are thoroughly investigating and will address all charges in court, where facts, not prejudicial narratives, should prevail.”
The 32-year-old is currently being held on a $1 million bail.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
