A 47-year-old son of a woman who cares for children in her Sylmar apartment was charged with molesting children and recording the crimes on hidden cameras, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Israel Sanchez was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of child molestation after authorities served a search warrant at the apartment unit in the 13000 block of Foothill Boulevard. He was charged with annoying a child under 14.
Computers, cameras and other items were seized at the apartment. The Department of Homeland Security investigation involved the transmission of child pornography, according to the LAPD.
Sanchez shared the apartment with his mother, who runs a child-care service, according to investigators. The two have lived together at the location, about 25 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, since 1995.
"We believe these children were clients of Sanchez's mother, who babysat for families in the neighborhood," said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division. "What's more, we discovered Sanchez's room was rigged with cameras to record the molestation for distribution over the internet."
A neighbor told NBC4 other family members also reside in the apartment.
The LAPD became involved in the investigation after federal agents found evidence of at least two sex crimes involving children. One of the victims is 18 months old, another is 10 years old, according to police.
Investigators said they believe there are at least four more victims. The victims -- all were seen on a video police said they discovered on Sanchez's laptop computer -- reside in the same apartment complex as the suspect and a nearby apartment complex.
It was not immediately clear when the videos were created, according to investigators.
Bond was set at $100,000. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents also placed a hold on Sanchez.
Anyone with information about the case can call 818-838-9969.
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