Santa Clarita stepdad arrested for allegedly molesting stepdaughter, age 12

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Special Victims Bureau have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly sexually molesting his 12-year-old stepdaughter, authorities said.

According to information from sheriff’s officials, the incident occurred about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday in the 28300 block of Willow Court in Saugus, an unincorporated area of the Santa Clarita Valley. 

Investigators said in a news release that the child's mother returned home earlier than usual from work and went into her daughter's room to check on her. When she opened the door, she saw her husband on top of the girl, authorities said.

Authorities confirmed the suspect’s identity as Lanard Heath.

“The suspect was naked from the waist down, rubbing against the victim,” according to the news statement. He had the victim pinned down beneath him and was kissing her neck and cheeks while the girl looked away, deputies said. The mother yelled at her husband and called authorities. He got dressed and fled the location, deputies said. 

A patrol from the Santa Clarita sheriff’s station located Heath a short time later at Santa Clarita Park on Seco Canyon Road. He was arrested for committing a lewd act with a child under the age of 14, booked at the Santa Clarita station, and is being held without bail, authorities said.

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-- Ann M. Simmons in Santa Clarita

Photo: Booking photo of Lanard Heath, 30, accused of molesting his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department