Mitchell Takata

RIVERSIDE – In late May, Riverside police officers responded to a home in the Ramona neighborhood of Riverside for a call of a molestation that just occurred.

During a therapy session inside her home, a severely handicapped and non-verbal girl under the age of 10 was alleged to have been sexually abused by her behavior therapist. The therapist was identified as Mitchell Takata, 21, Los Altos, who was still at this home when officers arrived.

Detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault–Child Abuse Unit (SACA) responded and assumed the investigation.

Takata was subsequently arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. Charges have since been filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, attempted sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child under the age of 10, and attempted rape of a victim with a mental/physical disability.

He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.

Detectives learned Takata has been employed as a behavior therapist for approximately three years, working primarily with severely disabled children. It is believed there could be other victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with additional information regarding the arrest of Takata is urged to contact SACA Detective Daniel Suarez at [email protected] or (951) 353-7120.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, you can download the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app and utilize the “Send a Message” feature to send us the information.