Irvine Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Child Molesting Charges

A 16-year-old Irvine boy pleaded not guilty Thursday to molestation and kidnaping charges involving four girls, including a 6-year-old girl he allegedly lured into a bookstore bathroom.

The teen, who is being tried as an adult, was arraigned in Municipal Court on six felony charges of forced child molestation, attempted molestation, kidnaping and aggravated kidnaping on victims under the age of 14.

In one of those cases, the youth allegedly used “The Ultimate Dog Book” to lure the girl into the bathroom of a Laguna Hills bookstore in August. Investigators said they traced a fingerprint from the book to the youth.

Police have said the other incidents involve a molestation at a Laguna Niguel pizza parlor and another sexual assault in Irvine.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Rosanne Froeberg declined to detail the allegations or discuss the boy’s background, citing his age. A Juvenile Court judge ruled last week that the teen should be tried as an adult.