Boy sexually assaulted in Belvedere Park

BELVEDERE PARK, EAST LOS ANGELES According to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, soccer fields at Belvedere Park were full of players and spectators on Saturday at around 6:30 p.m.

A 7-year-old boy told his parents he was going to the restroom. The restroom is just a few feet away from the fields. As he walked into the men's restroom, he was attacked.

"He went into the restroom, and when he did, the suspect immediately entered after him, grabbed him, pushed him into a stall, and sexually assaulted him," said L.A. County Sheriff's Sgt. Diane Hecht.

Sheriff's detectives released a description of the suspect.

"The only information we have about the suspect is that he's a male Hispanic, either in his late teens," said Hecht. "He was wearing a red shirt, a red jacket and black-and-white shoes. So we're asking the public, anybody who was at that park who may know the suspect, either way, to contact the sheriff's department."

Off-camera, some parents said they can't believe what happened to the boy. They always felt safe at the park.

"Keep an eye on your children, even for yourself," said Hecht. "Be conscious of the people around you. Did somebody just give you, 'Hey, there's something wrong with this person,' or they're looking at me, they're hiding themselves -- just be cognizant of those type of things."

If you have information related to this case, you're urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.