SYLMAR, Calif. (KTLA) — The adult son of a Sylmar woman who provides babysitting services for local families has been charged with child molestation, police announced Friday.
Israel Sanchez, 47, was charged on Thursday with annoying a child under 14 years, according to a news release from Los Angeles police.
The victim in the case was an 18-month-old girl, police said.
There was another alleged victim who was 10 years old, but that case had not yet been filed.
Sanchez has lived at the same apartment in the 13900 block of Foothill Boulevard with his mother since 1995, police said.
Earlier this week, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant at the apartment.
They seized computers and cameras related to suspected child pornography, according to the news release.
The investigation was related to alleged internet transmissions of child pornography, which is a federal crime.
Detectives from the LAPD’s Mission Police Station became involved when federal agents found evidence of at least two children being molested by Sanchez, police said.
“We believe these children were clients of Sanchez’s mother, who babysat for families in the neighborhood,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.
“What’s more, we discovered Sanchez’s room was rigged with cameras to record the molestation for distribution over the internet,” Vernon added.
Both victims’ families were cooperating with investigators, police said.
Neither family was aware that their daughters had allegedly been molested, according to investigators.
Authorities believed that there may be additional victims.
They were asking anyone who has used babysitting services at the mother’s apartment or allowed their child to have contact with Sanchez to contact police.
Anyone with information was asked to call Detective Marc Madero, Mission Sex Unit, at (818) 838-9969.
Anonymous tips can by calling into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.
Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org by clicking on “webtips” and following the prompts.