Riverside police are asking the public for information on any encounters they may have had with Mitchell Akira Takata, a 21-year-old behavioral therapist who has been accused of molesting a young handicapped girl.
Takata, 21, was arrested on May 23 and was booked into Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Takata on May 28 was charged with attempted sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10, lewd acts with a child under 14 and attempted rape against a person with a mental or physical disability. He pleaded not guilty to all three felony charges and is due back in court on Sept. 26.The investigation began when police were called to a home where Takata had been working with a girl who police said was severely handicapped and did not speak, a Police Department news release said. Someone there alleged that Takata, who was present when police arrived, had molested the girl.
Takata has worked as a behavioral therapist for three years, primarily with severely disabled children, police said. They ask that anyone with information on Takata contact to contact Detective Daniel Suarez at DSuarez@RiversideCA.gov or 951-353-7120.
