SANTA ANA (CNS) - The son of an unlicensed daycare center in Santa Ana was charged today with sexually assaulting two girls at the facility.
Jesus Herrera, 43, of Santa Ana was charged with two felony counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration on a child 10 years or younger. It happened between January and November 2009, and August through December of 2012, according to court records.
Santa Ana police arrested Herrera Tuesday, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
A 12-year-old girl told police Herrera molested her when she was 7 years old and being cared for by the defendant's mother in her unlicensed daycare facility operated out of her home, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana police arrested Herrera last year, when a 19-year-old woman told police the defendant molested her when she was 10 and being cared for in the same facility, but charges were not filed by prosecutors at that time, Bertagna said.
The defendant's mother told investigators she has shut down the facility, Bertagna said.
Herrera, who was being held on $1 million bail, had his arraignment on Thursday rescheduled for April 3 in the Central Jail courtroom in Santa Ana.
Police suspect there may be more victims and asked anyone with relevant information to call Detective Mario Lopez at 714-245-8530 or email him at mlopez5santa-ana.org.
Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS.