Daycare Worker Pleads Not Guilty To Abusing Children

RIVERSIDE (CBS) — A daycare facility employee pleaded not guilty Friday to sexually assaulting several children under his supervision.

Ruben Avalos, 61, is suspected of harming three children at the Carlos Family Daycare in Moreno Valley, where he was arrested Jan. 20. He's being held on $1 million bail.

Avalos was charged with raping a child under 10 years old and four counts of forced oral copulation on a child under 10 years old.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Richard T. Fields set a March 8 felony settlement conference date for Avalos Friday morning.

Sheriff's Sgt. Nathan Kaas said investigators were contacted about the alleged assaults after the victims underwent physical exams, and disclosed that they were abused.

Carlos Family Daycare is operated out of a residence in the 16500 block of Tarano Lane, just off Krameria Avenue.

According to the sergeant, the California Department of Social Services will be conducting a separate investigation because the facility is a state-certified "Family Day Care Home," providing services to the children of parents in welfare-to-work programs.

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