Therapist Charged with Molesting Autistic Boy in Garden Grove
A 32-year-old in-home behavioral therapist has pleaded not guilty to allegations of molesting an autistic boy in the child’s Garden Grove home. Salvador Armando Arriaga entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment at the West Justice Center in Westminster, facing charges of committing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the alleged incident occurred on September 18 during a therapy session in the client’s bedroom. Prosecutors stated that Arriaga, employed by Behavioral Health Works in Anaheim at the time, was discovered by the boy’s father in the closet with the boy’s pants down. The father, who had been in another part of the house caring for a second child, reportedly went to check on his son after noting the absence of conversation between the therapist and the boy. When confronted, Arriaga allegedly attempted to flee through a window before running out the door, prompting the father to contact authorities. Prosecutors also claim that Arriaga later returned to the home, wearing a changed shirt, while police were on the scene. Arriaga is being held on $1 million bail and, if convicted, could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.
When handling serious crimes like this, the legal process typically begins with an arrest and formal charges being brought against the accused. From there, the case moves into the pretrial phase, where evidence is gathered, motions are filed, and both the defense and prosecution prepare their arguments. Key components of the process include determining the defendant’s bail amount, as seen in this case, and assessing whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. If the case goes to trial, it involves presenting evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments before a judge or jury, which ultimately determines guilt or innocence.
The punishments for such crimes are often severe, reflecting the gravity of the offense. If convicted, defendants may face lengthy prison sentences, as the law aims to provide justice for victims and deter future criminal behavior. For particularly heinous or violent crimes, sentences can range from decades in prison to life without parole, and in some jurisdictions, even the death penalty. Sentencing guidelines vary based on the nature of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and mitigating or aggravating factors presented during the trial. These processes underscore the balance sought by the justice system between punishment and the protection of individual rights.
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