Local foster caregiver suspected of multiple counts of child sexual assault

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - A foster caregiver from Desert Hot Springs was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of multiple counts of sexually assaulting children, authorities announced.

Sergio Avalos Perez, 64, was arrested at around 5:30 p.m. on the 44000 block of Town Center Way. He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio and faces several charges of sexual assault of a minor.

Perez remains in custody on $2,000000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, authorities began their investigation on Dec. 10 after allegations of child abuse were reported to Child Protective Services, in which all children had been removed from the home.

During the investigation, it was determined that a minor who was placed in foster care at the home had been sexually assaulted by the caregiver. Investigators identified several additional victims who were also sexually assaulted.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Investigator Iniguez at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station at 760-836-1600.