Man living at Santa Ana daycare arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting 3 kids

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Ana police arrested a man who lived at a daycare center on suspicion of molesting three children all under the age of 10.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested Larry Montanez, 63, of Santa Ana, on suspicion of sexually assaulting children. The incidents are said to have happened at Anne's Daycare, located in the 2100 block of S. Cedar Street.

Authorities said the assaults began in 2013, with the most recent happening on Tuesday to a 6-year-old girl.

"The 6-year-old was encouraged to report this to the owner by another child who witnessed the incident," Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

That is when the owner, Anne Garcia, called police on Montanez, her own brother, and has cooperated with police.

Montanez lived at the center, police said, and had been there since the daycare was first licensed in 2001. Authorities said everyone who lived at and worked from the home had to be given a background check by the police and the county.

Police said there was nothing on his record that led them to believe he was capable of such crimes.

Since Montanez had access to children for many years, authorities believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with more information was asked to call the Santa Ana Police Special Crimes Detectives at (714) 245-8351.