Behavioral Therapist Mitchell Takata Charged with Sexual Assault After Allegedly Molesting Disabled Child in Riverside

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — Authorities have charged a behavioral therapist with sexual abuse that occurred during a therapy session last month at the home of a severely disabled and non-speaking girl under 10, the Riverside Police Department said Friday.

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Mitchell Takata, 21, of Los Altos, is charged with lewd acts on a child under 14, attempted sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child under 10, and attempted rape of a victim with a mental/physical disability.

Police say in late May, officers responded to a home in the Ramona section of Riverside in response to a report of a sexual assault that had just occurred.

The child was allegedly sexually abused by her behavioral therapist during a session. Takata remained in the home when officers arrived, Riverside police said.

Detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit (SACA) responded and took over the investigation.

No further details of the incident were provided.

Takata was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. He remains in custody, and bail was set at $1 million.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Takata.

Investigators say Takata has been employed as a behavioral therapist for about three years, working primarily with children with severe disabilities. Police believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact SACA Detective Daniel Suarez at (951) 353-7120 or [email protected].