Therapist sexually assaults girl at her home, California cops say. More victims feared
A behavioral therapist is accused of sexually assaulting a girl during a session at her home, California police say.
Alejandro Lopez Nunez, 48, of Santa Clara, was arrested on June 9 and booked into jail on counts related to sexually assaulting a minor, the San Jose Police Department said in a June 12 news release.
At the time of the sexual assault, Lopez Nunez worked as a behavioral therapist for Trumpet Behavioral Health and as a part-time instructional aide at Forest Hill Elementary School, police said.
Trumpet Behavioral Health provides services for children with autism, according to the company’s website.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the children in our care,” a Trumpet Behavioral Health spokesperson said in a June 12 email to McClatchy News.
Lopez Nunez was fired after the company learned of the incident, the spokesperson said, adding that “as a community, we are deeply disturbed and saddened by these allegations.”
In an emailed statement to McClatchy News, Campbell Union School District said it hired Lopez Nunez in 2022 after he underwent “a rigorous screening process.”
“To our knowledge, the alleged behavior did not involve our students,” the district said, adding that it would take “appropriate personnel action upon the conclusion of our investigation.”
Police said officers responded to a San Jose home on June 8 after a report of a minor being sexually assaulted.
Officers determined the girl had been sexually assaulted by her therapist, later identified as Lopez Nunez, during a session at her home the day prior, police said.
Further investigation showed Lopez Nunez had sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions starting in March, according to police.
Police said, given his position, they believe Lopez Nunez may have assaulted additional victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 408-277-4102 or email 4269@sanjoseca.gov.
This story was originally published June 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Therapist sexually assaults girl at her home, California cops say. More victims feared."
