Hayward handyman charged with violently molesting 8-year-old girl as she screamed for help, court docs say
Authorities allege that the suspect dragged the victim to secluded areas and covered her mouth when she tried to scream for help, then later appeared at her home after hours and slit the window screen to her bedroom.
HAYWARD — A 49-year-old Hayward man has been charged with sexually abusing a girl multiple times, beginning when she was 8 years old, after her family hired him as a handyman, court records show.
Ruperto Espinoza Villanueva was charged May 17 with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and enhancements alleging use of violence and being in a position of trust. He was also charged with first-degree residential burglary, a related offense that stems from one of the alleged incidents where he came over to the family home for dinner.
The girl, now in her teens, kept the molestation to herself until recently. She was scared to come forward because Villanueva was in a position of trust and due to her trauma, authorities say.
Villanueva was arrested May 16, and pleaded not guilty on May 18. He is being held in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail.
Prosecutors allege that the first act of molestation occurred when the girl was 8 years old, when Villanueva allegedly grabbed her in the backyard, took her to a secluded area on the property and inappropriately touched her. The girl reportedly told police that he covered her mouth when she tried to scream for help and threatened to hurt her if she told on him.
Three years later, after being invited to the family’s home for dinner, Villanueva allegedly molested the girl again, in similar fashion. Authorities say he grabbed her while she was playing in the backyard, took her to the side of the house, inappropriately touched her and then told her to “shut up” when she began crying. The girl reportedly claimed there was a third molestation incident when she was 9, but thus far prosecutors have only filed the two counts.
After the alleged victim came forward, her mother told police there was another suspicious incident involving Villanueva: He allegedly came to the house one night and sliced open the window screen to the girl’s bedroom, while shining a flashlight inside. Police say he left when the mother yelled at him.
Since the charges were filed, an Alameda County Superior Court judge issued a restraining order, which will remain in effect if Villanueva is convicted, court records show. Villanueva’s next court date, a pretrial hearing, has been set for June 29 before Judge Jacob Blea.