Hollister - A Hollister man wanted by police for allegedly continuously sexually abusing a child was booked into the San Benito County Jail on two felony child molestation charges Wednesday, according to police.
Luis Zaragoza Garnica, 45, was arrested by Gilroy police officers in Gilroy at 6:30pm Wednesday for two child molestation warrants issued by the San Benito County District Attorney's Office, according to law enforcement officials.
The warrants stemmed from an investigation conducted by San Benito County Sheriff's Detective Tom Keylon over a several-month-long period involving accusations brought against Garnica by a now 15-year-old Hollister resident, Keylon said. The girl alleged that Garnica molested her over a six or seven-year period, he said.
The girl's mother contacted police after her daughter confided in her that Garnica allegedly attempted to have sex with her, had penetrated her with his fingers and committed other lewd acts with her since she was 6 or 7 years old, Keylon said.
The mother had a relationship with Garnica, and when their relationship ended the girl came forward, he said.
"The breaking up of the family was her out," Keylon said. "She did a brave thing. There are too many victims out there who never say a word and live their whole life suffering."
While the alleged abuse was going on, the girl never spoke to her mother about it, although the mother told police she noticed some unusual activity occurring, Keylon said. However, when the daughter finally told her mother what had allegedly been happening, Keylon said the mother immediately contacted police and has been adamant about taking the case as far as it can go within the justice system.
"The mother had ideas, but she was very fearful and nonconfrontational (with Garnica)," Keylon said. "I don't think the mother knew the level of what was going on."
Keylon said he interviewed Garnica several months ago concerning the allegations of abuse - which hadn't occurred for about a year when the girl finally came forward - and he denied them.
Although there was no physical evidence to substantiate any abuse, Keylon said from the time spent talking with the girl and her mother, he believed the allegations were strong enough to forward his findings to District Attorney John Sarsfield. Sarsfield did not return phone calls Thursday.
"As a cop there are times when you can read someone's emotions and fear and know that there's some truth to it," Keylon said.
Since coming forward with the allegations, Keylon said the girl has been receiving counseling services from the county's Child Protective Services. Garnica had two other small children of his own, a girl and a boy, however Keylon does not think they were molested.
Garnica was booked Wednesday into the San Benito County Jail and remains in custody in lieu of $125,000, according to jail personnel.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or emusgrave@freelancenews.com
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