Latest news with #BehavioralHealthWorks
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Therapist, 32, is 'caught red-handed by child's father doing the unthinkable to boy' he was supposed to be help
A 32-year-old in-home behavioral therapist has been accused of molesting an autistic child he was supposed to help. Salvador Armando Arriaga pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of molesting an autistic child in Garden Grove, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office in California. He entered his plea during an arraignment at the West Justice Center in Westminster. Arriaga faces charges of lewd or lascivious acts on a minor younger than 14. He was accused of molesting the boy during a September 18 therapy session in the client's bedroom, while he was employed by Behavioral Health Works in Anaheim. According to prosecutors, Arriaga had provided therapy services to the boy on multiple previous occasions. On the day of the alleged incident, the child's father walked in on the boy in a closet with his pants down, according to prosecutors. He discovered his son in that state when he went to check on him after noticing he could not hear the therapist and child talking. When confronted, Arriaga reportedly attempted to escape through a bedroom window before running out the front door instead. The father immediately contacted police. Prosecutors allege that Arriaga changed his shirt and returned to the residence while officers were present at the scene. Arriaga's defense attorney, Jacqueline Goodman, stated that her client '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,' Goodman told City News Service, as reported by ABC7. Arriaga is currently being held on $1million bail. He could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted. The Garden Grove Police Department is asking anyone with additional information about Arriaga or potential additional victims to contact Detective Sindy Orozco at 714-741-5872 or sindyo@
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Orange County behavioral therapist charged with molesting boy with autism
An Orange County behavioral therapist has been charged with molesting a boy with autism during a session in the child's bedroom last year. Salvador Armando Arriaga, 32, was employed by Behavioral Health Works in Anaheim at the time of the alleged assault, for which he was charged with one felony count of a lewd and lascivious act on a child under 14 and one allegation that he went into the child's home with the intent to molest him, according to a press release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Garden Grove police were called to the home on Sept. 18, 2024 after receiving a call from the boy's father. He told them that Arriaga was at their home holding a therapy session in the boy's room, while he cared for another child in the living room, the release said. Prosecutors said that the father grew concerned when he didn't hear conversation coming from the room, which prompted him to check on his son. "But when he opened the door, he did not see his son or the therapist," the release said. Instead, he found them in the walk-in closet and the boy was partially disrobed. The release says that Arriaga tried to escape through the bedroom window before fleeing out the door, at which point police were called. He allegedly returned to the home wearing a different shirt while officers were still there, the release said. He was arrested and investigators began their months-long probe into the matter. Among evidence they gathered was DNA, which led to charges and Arriaga's arrest on a warrant. If convicted as charged, Arriaga faces 25 years to life in prison. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Investigators ask anyone who may know more or who believes they know of other potential victims to contact them at (714) 741-5872.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Behavioral therapist accused of molesting autistic child during in-home session
A behavioral therapist has been charged with sexually assaulting an autistic boy during an in-home therapy session in Garden Grove last year, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information or possible victims to come forward. Salvador Armando Arriaga, 32, was arrested and charged with one felony count of committing a lewd act on a child under 14, along with an enhancement alleging he entered the child's home with the intent to commit the crime. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said. At the time of the alleged abuse, Arriaga was working for Behavioral Health Works, an Anaheim-based company that provides behavioral therapy services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. On Sept. 18, 2024, he was conducting a session in the boy's home, a client whose home he'd visited previously. Prosecutors allege the session took place in the child's bedroom while the boy's father remained in the living room caring for another child. When the father noticed the room had gone quiet, he entered and found no one in sight. After opening the closet door, he allegedly found his son with his pants down and Arriaga kneeling 'with his head near his son's lap.' The father confronted Arriaga, who tried to flee the scene through a window before running out the door. The victim's father called the Garden Grove Police Department who arrived on scene shortly after. While officers were at the home, Arriaga returned and was wearing another shirt. He was detained on suspicion of lewd acts on a child, officials said. Over the following months, investigators continued gathering evidence, including DNA, which led to Arriaga being formally charged and arrested on a warrant. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information about Arriaga or other potential victims is urged to contact Garden Grove Police Detective Sindy Orozco by email, or by calling 714-741-5872. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
