Tulare County daycare owner accused of sexually abusing child in his care
A 58-year-old Porterville daycare owner is accused of sexually abusing at least one child he watched over.
On Dec. 30, an investigation was sparked after allegations of child molestation were made against Jose Luis Caballero Cortez.
Caballero and his wife operate a licensed daycare in Porterville, Caballero Family Child Care. The couple has run the daycare for 22 years, according to detectives.
Porterville detectives quickly got to work and interviewed the child and any potential witnesses.
During the investigation, detectives were able to confirm that a girl was abused and identified "multiple witnesses to the assault," Lt. Chris Contreras stated in a press release.
"Due to the sensitivity of the allegations, the ages of the involved children nor time frame of the assaults are being released," he said.
Caballero was arrested at 7:30 a.m. Monday at the daycare, located at 730 W. Mulberry Ave.
He was booked into Bob Wiley Detention Facility on multiple allegations of child molestation. His bail is set at $250,000.
"Our department is working closely with the California Community Care Licensing Division, who is conducting its own investigation as well," Contreras said.
Detectives believe there could be additional victims.
Anyone who has had, or who knows of a child who may have had, questionable contact with Caballero is urged to contact Detective Mark Lightfoot at 782-7400.
Sheyanne Romero covers Tulare County public safety, local government and business for the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @sheyanne_VTD. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.