Man charged with molesting boy in an Orange County mall restroom; police seek other victims

A registered sex offender from Laguna Beach was charged with molesting a 5-year-old boy in A public restroom, and authorities believe there might be more victims.

Nicholas James Needham, 27, was charged this week by the Orange County district attorney's office with one felony count each of lewd acts on a child under 14 and possession and control of child pornography. He is expected to be arranged on Friday.

According to a statement from prosecutors, the alleged molestation occurred June 15 at the Block of Orange mall.

"Needham is accused of entering a men's restroom at the Block at Orange. A 5-year-old boy, John Doe, was using the urinal while his mother waited outside. Needham is accused of standing next to the victim, whom he did not know, reaching over, and touching the victim's penis. The defendant then left the scene," the statement said.

The boy told his mother, who informed the Orange Police Department, the statement said.

Police believe there might be more possible victims. Anyone with information can call  Detective Leslie Franco at (714) 744-7572 or Supervising District Atty. Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Nicholas James Needham. Credit: KTLA News

Comments

[julie]

Young children should not go into public restrooms alone, period. Take your young boy into the ladies room, moms! Any woman who objects is a little wacky. Everyone knows why a mother would bring her young boy child into the ladies room: his safety.

And it's not like he'd see anything risque in the ladies room anyway..., not much more than a woman putting on her makeup...

[BillN]

this man was also busted with over 1500 images of child pornography including some with infants.
could someone please try to ID some of these victims in the pics, you will get to the source of the porn.
much of this stuff is being produced right in our own backyard. you need to shut down the producers of this material which fuels these freaks behavior.

[Mary]

A courageous child who reported abuse! I hope he gets all the support and help he deserve; and better protection from law enforcement now that Needham is out of jail again.

Think Needham has fellow sex offender buddies out there?

Needham, a register sex offender who is out of custody on $250,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday. Surprised?
-----This is one of many examples and evidence of how the law, law makers, judges, lawyers and others in positions of authority advocate to free convicted, known and credible accused sex offenders and keep the public at risk. As a result, everyone is target of sex crimes.

I wonder if this news report will inspire people to take action and question what activities government officials really engage in and what are their priorities---those officials who advocate and allow sex offenders to go free to prey on the community.

Wonder what OC superior court ex-judge Rondald Kline would have ruled in Needham's case.

[Baffled Observer]

Ladies, if you take your sons into the ladies' room, please supervise them. Some boys peer under the stalls or try to break into them.

I do understand the need to protect your kids, but please be considerate of others.

[Anon-1]

why the bleeep do dumb parents let their kids go to the restroom alone??? its the parents fault! no 5 year old should be going to the restroom alone! I bet that mom feels guilt!

[blackone]

It was UNBELIEVABLY stupid to let a 5-year-old go to a bathroom alone.

[blackone]

The mom should be investigated for aggravated negligence. It is a parent's responsibility to keep a child safe. This day and age, there's no excuse for her stupidity.

[3825You]

There needs to be a new law put in the books
for idiot parents...Common Sense Law...
you neglect to follow the Law...you will lose
your kid(s)...
Common Sense Law...book em dano.

[Phil Uranus]

He is expected to be arranged on Friday.

Wow.

[BRYAN]

Get the facts !!!!! the kid is a hero, the molester will be convicted. BECAUSE THE CHILD REPORTED IT TO THE MOTHER.