Owner of daycare arrested for alleged sexual abuse

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An owner of a Las Cruces daycare was recently arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a child, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.

According to court documents, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department investigated allegations of sexual abuse at Cardiel Childhood Services, located at 5532 Century Lane in Las Cruces.

After the investigation, the license for the daycare facility was suspended which was owned by Lorena Cardiel and Juan Cardiel, 78 who was listed as the secondary care provider, according to the affidavit.

Court documents say Juan Cardiel was responsible for assisting Lorena Cardiel when there were more than six children present at the daycare.

Cardiel was arrested and charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with an unclothed child which reportedly happened at the daycare from Jan. 1 through April 16 of this year, according to court documents.

The victim told a forensics interviewer that she was four-years-old when the alleged incidents happened, according to court documents.

The victim said she knew Cardiel and was greeted by him inappropriately by kissing her when she arrived at the daycare, according to court documents.

The victim also stated Cardiel showed her inappropriate pictures and videos of obscene material, according to court documents.

Court documents say there were at least three incidents when Cardial inappropriately touched the victim under her clothing at the daycare.

The victim also stated that Cardiel exposed himself to her and had her touch him inappropriately, according to court documents.

Cardiel was arrested by the Las Cruces Police Department on Wednesday, May 1, and was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with no bond.

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