Laborer Held on Charge of Molesting Girl

A day laborer from Lynwood is suspected of molesting a 7-year-old girl and her mother after he went to their Costa Mesa home last week and pretended to be a doctor, police said Friday.

The woman met Juan Arnulfo Asturias, 45, on Aug. 10 and mentioned to him that her daughter had a rash, investigators said. Asturias told the woman that he was a physician, showed her an official-looking business card and made an appointment to examine her daughter at the family’s home, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Don Holford.

On Aug. 13, Asturias went to the home, molested the girl and then sexually assaulted the woman, who notified police the next day, police said. Police arrested Asturias at his home Thursday.

Arraignment for Asturias is set for Monday at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach on charges that include child molestation, sexual battery and misrepresenting himself as a doctor.