Man Accused of Molesting Girl, 4

A contract maintenance employee who works for several McDonald’s restaurants in Santa Ana has been charged with fondling a 4-year-old girl in a women’s restroom, authorities said Thursday.

Carlos Antonio Chavez, 42, was being held at the Orange County Jail on one count of child molestation. He is scheduled to be arraigned today in Santa Ana.

Chavez, who was charged Feb. 7, was accused of inappropriately touching the girl who was using the restroom at a McDonald’s on East 1st Street in Santa Ana, officials said. While her grandmother was ordering food about noon Jan. 31, the girl needed to use the bathroom. The grandmother walked her into the bathroom, put her in a stall and returned to check on their food.

The grandmother became concerned when the girl had not come out of the bathroom within three to four minutes, Deputy Dist. Atty. Randy Payne said.

“It’s a parent’s nightmare,” Payne said. “It’s very disturbing to have this happen in a place known as a safe and fun place for children.”