Teen Whose Parents Burbank Run Day Care Faces Molestation Allegations

Police said there is only one alleged victim, a 4-year-old boy

A 14-year-old boy whose parents operate a Burbank day care facility is set to appear in juvenile court Thursday to face allegations that he molested a 4-year-old, authorities said.

The young child was one of at least 14 who attend Mejia Family Day Care, in the 2100 block of Pepper Street. The child's mother on Sunday came to Burbank police with a report that her 4-year-old son had been sexually abused at the day care facility.

The teen is facing an allegation of oral copulation of a minor, according to Sgt. Darin Ryburn, who issued a news release about the alleged incident Tuesday. The suspect was detained and is being held in Sylmar Juvenile Hall.

The boy, unidentified because he is a minor, will appear in juvenile court for a detention hearing in Pasadena Thursday, Ryburn said.

The allegations are the first faced by the boy, and the parents of all the other children at the day care were interviewed with no finding of additional alleged victims, Ryburn said.

"This is an isolated incident there is no other evidence of any wrongdoing toward other kids," Ryburn said.

He said the 4-year-old was interviewed by police and was "pretty articulate."

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Investigators from the California Department of Social Services-Community Care Licensing Bureau are conducting a review of the facility, according to the Burbank Police Department.

A mother who was dropping off her young girl at the daycare on Wednesday reacted angrily to a NBC4 reporter's presence at the home.

"As a parent of a child that brings my child here, I would never have called the police until I was sure," the mother said.

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