LA Daycare Owner Accused of Molestation
SAN DIEGO – It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that a toddler came home from daycare and told her mom she had been fondled.
As a parent, what would you do in such a situation? What are you first steps? How do you react?
According to the Los Angeles Times article, Cano & Ramos Family Child Care, located in Boyle Heights, had been investigated twice before this latest incident. Molestation allegations against the day care center date back to 2008. But the center was allowed to remain in operation for years because the accusations were never corroborated.
Often, a key part of the problem in such cases is that parents aren’t sure whether to believe what the child is saying, said San Diego attorney Mike Bomberger, of the law firm Estey & Bomberger.
“Listen to your children. Take action if they say something,” said Bomberger, whose firm is a national leader in trying such cases and recently obtained a $23 million verdict against the Los Angeles Unified School District in one such case.
Bomberger and partner Steve Estey regularly work and advocate to protect children from abuse. Educating the public, Bomberger said, is vital to protecting children from harm. He also said parents often worry that having the child talk about what happened will do more harm. But that’s not the case.
“Don’t brush it under the rug,” he said.
“Parents should talk to their children regarding what is appropriate touching and what is inappropriate,” added Estey. “They should also encourage their children to tell them when someone has made them feel uncomfortable or touched them inappropriately.”
After receiving the latest complaint about Cano & Ramos Family Childcare, police investigated past allegations and were able to gather enough evidence to arrest Enrique Ramos. He is charged with three felony counts of committing lewd acts on a child. Ramos pled not guilty and remains in county jail. The California Department of Social Services has temporarily suspended the operating license for the childcare center.