Additional Victims Of Convicted Sex Offender Sought In Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA.com) — A 26-year-old convicted sex offender remained in custody Thursday after a missing teenage girl was found hiding inside of his garage in Santa Clarita.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, family members alerted deputies that their daughter had not returned home.

During a preliminary investigation, detectives checked the girl's phone records and called a number she had recently contacted.

Kaene Dean answered the phone and informed deputies he was unaware of her whereabouts.

Shortly before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies went to Dean's home, located in the 28200 block of Sycamore Drive, to further investigate her disappearance.

Upon their arrival, his parents allowed investigators inside of the home. Authorities then found the girl "hiding" inside the garage.

Further investigation revealed Dean befriended the victim at a Santa Clarita grocery store. He reportedly told her she was pretty.

Officials said the girl reported Dean sexually assaulted her.

Deputies said Dean was on parole for burglary. He became a registered sex offender after he was reportedly convicted in 2014 for indecent exposure at a mall in Glendale. However, it appears Dean has not been included in the Megan's Law list.

According to the registry, about 25 percent of offenders are not required to have a form of public notice. Officials said it appears that Dean fell into this category.

Dean is being held on $100,000 bail at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. He is scheduled to appear in court within the next several days.

Authorities believe Dean may have encountered additional victims.

Anyone who has had contact with him is urged to contact the Los Angels County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.