A special education assistant from Glendale was held on $6 million bail after he was accused of sexually assaulting children with disabilities on school ground, police said Thursday.
Joseph Vladmir Sanchez, 25, was charged with lewd acts with a child and sexual acts with a child under 14 years of age after an 8-year-old victim reported sexual abuse, according to the Glendale Police Department.
After receiving the initial report, detectives were able to identify and locate two additional underage victims, police said.
Sanchez was assigned to Columbus Elementary School and Glenoaks Elementary School in Glendale as a contracted special education assistant from Covelo Group, officials said, adding he was not an employee of the city or the Glendale Unified School District.
Glendale Unified School District sent the following statement to NBC4:
“The safety and security of our GUSD students is our top priority. We have robust policies and procedures in place to support the safety and well-being of our students. We take every reported act of misconduct seriously, working alongside law enforcement to ensure swift and thorough action when allegations are made. The district requires comprehensive background checks, ongoing monitoring, and rigorous screening standards for all employees and agency partners. Our school employees and district administration are cooperating fully with GPD’s criminal investigation to identify and support the students and families who were negatively affected by this individual.”
Detectives said they are actively seeking additional victims dating back as far as 2023 and urged anyone with information to contact them at 818-548-4840.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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