Man charged with molesting friend’s granddaughter

A 55-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday after he allegedly molested the 9-year-old granddaughter of a woman who allowed him to stay with her because he was sick, officials said.

Prosecutors charged Jose Hernandez with committing five felony counts of lewd acts upon a child from Nov. 14 to March 18, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint.

Hernandez was arrested about 2:48 p.m. Sunday after the girl’s grandmother called police when she suspected him of sexual abuse, according to Glendale Police Department reports.

When police arrived at the home in the 1900 block of Bel Aire Drive, Hernandez was sitting on a couch next to a suitcase and was aware that officers were called to speak to him, according to reports.

Hernandez and the girl’s grandmother were reportedly friends for more than 25 years.

Last November, the grandmother, who was not identified, allowed him to stay with her at her home because he needed assistance with his diabetes, according to police.

Hernandez was sleeping on the grandmother’s couch in the home living room during his stay.

At some point, the girl told her grandmother that Hernandez allegedly kissed her and exposed his penis to her, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

He remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of more than $502,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records.

He is scheduled to appear April 10 in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Burbank.