Daycare Worker Suspected Of Kidnapping, Molesting Children, Arrested In Corona

A Corona daycare worker suspected of kidnapping and molesting two young girls was being held today in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Miguel Flores Jr., 26, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of kidnapping and committing lewd acts on a child under 14 years old in connection with recent alleged attacks involving an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, according to the Corona Police Department.

Flores is a member of the staff at Bixby Oaks Daycare Center at 1421 Rimpau Ave., where he supervises children in an after-school program, according to police Sgt. Kim Velasco.

She said detectives received a complaint Monday alleging that Flores had molested an 11-year-old girl.

"Detectives interviewed (the child) and learned of specific incidents when the victim was alone with Flores," Velasco said.

According to the sergeant, investigators learned about a second potential victim and interviewed that youngster, who provided "specific information about Flores as well."

As the suspect prepared to leave the daycare center Tuesday to begin making his rounds, picking up children from various schools, he was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

"The Corona Police Department has learned that there are approximately 80 additional children at Bixby," Velasco said. "Detectives would like to encourage these parents/guardians to talk to their children ... specifically about Miguel Flores."

Anyone with information was urged to call Detective Andy Bryant at (951) 817-5789. --City News Service