A special education assistant from Glendale was held on $6 million bail after he was accused of sexually assaulting children with disabilities on school ground, police said Thursday.
Joseph Vladmir Sanchez, 25, was charged with lewd acts with a child and sexual acts with a child under 14 years of age after an 8-year-old victim reported sexual abuse, according to the Glendale Police Department.
After receiving the initial report, detectives were able to identify and locate two additional underage victims, police said.
Sanchez was assigned to Columbus Elementary School and Glenoaks Elementary School in Glendale as a contracted special education assistant from Covelo Group, officials said, adding he was not an employee of the city or the Glendale Unified School District.
Detectives said they are actively seeking additional victims dating back as far as 2023 and urged anyone with information to contact them at 818-548-4840.