An illegal immigrant from Guatemala has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in his home in two separate incidents, which he denies.
Nicolas Jose Francisco, 25, is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 12 and is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail without bail.
Francisco worked for the victim's young family for more than a year, during which time he allegedly sexually assaulted the girl on two separate occasions in the family's garage and bathroom. WFLX reported.
The girl first told the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families about the alleged abuse on Dec. 13.
South Carolina highway shut down due to fake bomb attack by suspected illegal immigrant
Nicolas Jose Francisco, 25, is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 12. (Palm Beach County Jail)
In both cases, the suspect said Francisco took her to the garage and bathroom, where he touched her inappropriately, authorities said.
The child told investigators that in the first incident, Francisco called her to the garage and “touched flowers” in what she called her private area. Reported by WPEC.
In the second lawsuit, the girl said Francisco allegedly took her to the bathroom, where he exposed himself and touched her again.
Nicholas Jose Francisco is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail without bail. (St. Petersburg)
Francisco told lawmakers Thursday that the charges were false and that his family was only making the accusations because he was an “illegal immigrant.”
He said he touched the girl “both times by mistake” while they were in the garage and the bathroom. The man tried to help the girl go to the bathroom, but investigators said there was no bathroom anywhere in the garage.
Migrants accused of killing Mexican border official after being asked to show identification: Officials
Nicolas José Francisco said his family only filed charges because he was an “illegal immigrant.” (St. Petersburg)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Deputies said Francisco later “apologized and acknowledged that his actions and actions were wrong.”
Francisco appeared before a judge Friday morning.
