Yesterday, the LAPD arrested a Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services (“DCFS”) Child Abuse Investigator for allegedly having committed sexual crimes against the mother of one of the children he was assigned to investigate for possible abuse.

It is believed that Mr. Yadulla Lorghaba, a Valley Village residence, will be charged with felony sexual battery. He was booked yesterday and released on $75,000 bail. The alleged sexual assault took place on September 18th of this year and occurred because the mother was being investigated for shoplifting charges.

As a criminal defense attorney who handles a large number of sex crimes cases, I find this news story notable for several reasons. First of all, if the charges are proven true, the obvious hypocrisy of the situation does not need to be noted as Mr. Lorghaba was supposed to be protecting the best interests of the child, and potentially ensuring that the criminal laws were being respected with respect to the child. Secondly, what really bothers me about this factual scenario, as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, is the fact that DCFS was investigating the mother at all. A shoplifting charge is a relatively minor offense, and while perhaps irresponsible, does not, in itself, indicate that a child is being subjected to abuse or neglect. Of course, without all the details it is hard to know the true nature of the alleged DCFS child abuse investigation; however, to think that the sexual assault could have been avoided completely if DCFS had not wasted county resources looking into a theft-related case, is a bit disturbing.

If you or a loved one, is fighting sex crimes charges, then call an experienced sex crimes attorney today at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.