Husband Of Daycare Center Owner Arrested For Child Rape

Palm Springs Police say 37-year-old Jose Manuel Mercado will be arraigned on Friday on charges of aggravated sexual assault and continued sexual abuse of a child.

Police say Mercado and his wife ran a daycare/babysitting service for about the last eight years.

They apparently ran the unlicensed service from their apartment at the Tahquitz Court Apartments.

A victim, a juvenile female, recently came forward with accusations she was assaulted by Mercado years ago, according to police.

Detectives say the couple watched over infants to kids in their early teens. But it’s unclear just how many children they looked after over the years.

Based on the type of investigation, detectives believe there are likely more victims.

“What we’re trying to do is urge families, if they ever used Mercado and his wife, to verify with their children if they’re victims of any type of abuse. If so, contact the Palm Springs Police Department,” said Detective Mike Villegas.

News Channel 3 spoke with Mercado’s wife who says her husband is innocent.

Right now, there are no charges against the wife and detectives say she is cooperating with the investigation.

Police say both Mercado and his wife are in the country illegally.

Mercado is being held on a $1 million bond. An INS hold has been placed on him to keep him in custody and to prevent him from leaving the country.