The behavioral therapist is charged with sexually assaulting a juvenile with autism during a home therapy session at the Garden Globe last year, with authorities urging additional information and potential victims to move forward.
Salvador Armando Arriaga, 32, has stepped up the intensive claims that he has been arrested on one felony charge of committing indecent behavior on a child under the age of 14, and has entered the child’s home with intent to commit a crime.
If convicted, he will face up to 25 years of life in prison, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.
At the time of alleged abuse, Ariaga worked for Behavioral Health Works, an Anaheim-based company that provides behavioral therapy services to children with autism and other developmental disorders.
On September 18, 2024, he was holding a session at the boy’s house. The boy’s house is a client, a home he visited before.
The boy’s father stayed in the living room caring for another child while prosecutors alleged that the session took place in the child’s bedroom.
When his father noticed the room was quiet he went in and no one could see. After opening the closet door, he allegedly found his son undressing his pants and Ariaga on his knees “holding his head near his son’s lap.”
Her father confronts Ariaga, who tried to escape the scene through the window before running through the door.
The victim’s father called the Garden Grove Police Station, which soon arrived at the scene. While the officers were at home, Ariaga returned and wore another shirt.
He was detained on suspicion of indecent behavior against a child, officials said.
Over the next few months, investigators continued to collect evidence containing DNA, which led to Ariaga being officially charged and arrested on a warrant.
He remains in custody on bail set at $1 million.
The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information about Arriaga or other potential victims will be urged to contact Garden Grove Police Sindy Orozco by email or calling 714-741-5872.
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