Watch CBS News

Torrance Man Sentenced To 55 Years To Life For Sexually Assaulting, Kidnapping 2-Year-Old From Car Wash

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  — Authorities said a 38-year-old Torrance man has been sentenced to 55 years to life in state prison for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 2-year-old girl from a Gardena car wash.

Michael David Ikeler, 38, was found guilty by a jury on Jan. 27 of lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 with a special allegation that the crime was committed during the course of a kidnapping. He was also found guilty of two counts of sexual penetration of a child under age 10.

Deputy DA Allyson Ostrowski said Ikeler also was ordered to registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

RELATED LINK: Torrance Man Charged In Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Of 2-Year-Old Girl

On April 2, 2015, a woman was washing her vehicle at a car wash on Western Avenue while her two daughters waited outside of the car. According to court testimony, the older daughter notified her mother that the 2-year old had disappeared.

The young victim was found naked, hours later sitting on the ground by herself near a garbage dumpster at a Cudahy restaurant parking lot, the prosecutor said.

At the time of his arrest, authorities said Ikeler had previously been arrested in Northern California and Arizona for crimes involving children.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.