Foster Caregiver Arrested on Child Sexual Assault Charges

PALM DESERT (CNS) - A 64-year-old man suspected of sexually assaulting
a minor while acting as the child's foster caregiver, as well as allegedly
assaulting additional underage victims.
  

Sergio Avalos Perez of Desert Hot Springs was located on Tuesday in
the 44000 block of Town Center Way, near Fred Waring Drive, where deputies from
the Palm Desert Station Robbery Suppression Team took him into custody without
incident, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
  

Perez was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of
various charges of sexual assault of a minor and was being held on $2
million bail.
  

Deputies began investigating allegations of child abuse  at the foster
home on Dec. 10 and notified Child Protective Services, prompting the
removal of all children from the residence.
  

``During the investigation, it was determined that a minor who was
placed in foster care at the home had been sexually assaulted by the
caregiver,'' the sheriff's office said in a statement.
  

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are
encouraging them to come forward.

Perez is scheduled to be formally charged with the accusations on Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
  

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Palm Desert
Sheriff's Station Investigator Iniguez  at 760-836-1600.