Counselor at children's home convicted of molestation
A Santa Ana man who worked with children without parents living in the United States was convicted Wednesday of molestation and could face more than seven years in jail.
Victor Salazar, 30, a counselor at the Florence Crittenden Home in Fullerton, was found guilty of four felony counts of lewd acts on a child between the ages of 14 and 15 and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Children whose parents live outside the country, either because they were deported or because they came to the United States alone, live in the home. The children are generally taken into protective custody until they are placed in foster care, reunited with their families or reach maturity, officials said.
Salazar was found to have molested three boys he was assigned to counsel at the home between May 25, 2007, and Feb. 5, 2008.
Officials said the acts occurred when the children went into Salazar’s office to call their families in South or Central America. While on the telephone, officials said, they were sexually assaulted and fondled by Salazar.
A sentencing date will be set Thursday. Officials said Salazar also faces a lifetime sex offender registration.
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