Pediatric Nurse Arrested For Allegedly Photographing, Touching Young Girls In Glendale

GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — A 52-year-old man remained in custody Wednesday on suspicion of inappropriately photographing and touching young children on several occasions.

According to the Glendale Police Department, officers received a report on March 27 regarding a suspicious man who took photographs of children at a residential apartment complex.

Upon their arrival to the 1400 block of Stanley Avenue, officers learned the man was a new tenant to the building who had been seen taking the photographs of children who live in the building.

A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect -- who was later identified as Medhat Said, 52, of Glendale -- also watched the children swim in the pool located at the apartment complex.

Said allegedly offered the children candy and invited them into his apartment.

According to police, he also touched a 9-year-old female on her arm and back.

Further investigation determined Said was listed as a suspect in a similar incident, involving a 10-year-old female victim, with the Inglewood Police Department in August of 2010.

The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in Glendale.

One felony count of lewd act with a child and one misdemeanor count of child annoyance was filed against Said, according to the district attorney's office.

Police obtained an arrest warrant and subsequently arrested Said at his home on Friday.

He appeared in court for an arraignment on Tuesday, and remains in police custody on $120,000 bail.

Authorities explained Said is a registered nurse, with a certification for pediatric care, who has worked in several hospitals and clinics in Los Angeles County.

Detectives are concerned there may be more victims due to Said's occupation and accessibility to children.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Glendale Police Department at (818) 548-3106.