| For Immediate Release Case # 11WF2588
November 3, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
43-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL SEX WITH SON’S 12-YEAR-OLD FRIEND
*Law enforcement is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims
WESTMINSTER – A 43-year-old woman has been charged with having sex with a 12-year-old boy who was friends with her son. Patricia Ann Serrano, 43, Fountain Valley, is charged with three felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 with the sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. The court set bail in the amount of $100,000 today after denying the People’s request that Serrano be held on $250,000 bail.
If convicted and required to register as a sex offender, Serrano will be prohibited from entering County, Irvine, La Habra, Los Alamitos, and Westminster City parks without prior permission from the respective police departments because these municipalities recently enacted laws creating child safety zones to protect children from sexual predators in places where they regularly gather. Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills and Yorba Linda will be discussing the child safety zone ordinance at their city council meetings on Nov. 7, 2011, Nov. 8, 2011, and Nov. 15, 2011, respectively. Several other cities are also in the process of developing their child safety zone ordinances.
Serrano is currently in custody and is scheduled for a continued arraignment tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department W-15, West Justice Center, Westminster.
Serrano is accused of knowing 12-year-old John Doe through his friendship with her son. On two occasions in October 2011, the defendant is accused of having unlawful sex with the 12-year-old boy in her home and in a car.
On one occasion, the defendant is accused of kissing John Doe in a locked room. The victim’s mother discovered the defendant in the room with the victim. She did not observe any sexual contact but became suspicious of Serrano’s relationship with her son and reported it to the police.
The Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD), who is investigating this case, arrested Serrano Nov. 1, 2011.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information or who thinks they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794 or FVPD Detective Jesse Hughes at (714) 593-4480.
Deputy District Attorney Eric Scarbrough of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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