San Miguel child molestation case finds 10 more possible victims, authorities say

Sheriff’s officials say they have found more victims of a San Miguel man arrested earlier this month after allegedly molesting two young girls at a park.

On Wednesday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said Paublo Vargas Ramirez Sr., 58, is suspected of molesting 10 other children at his home, where his wife ran an unlicensed daycare facility. They said he used candy and money to lure the girls, who are between the ages of 1 and 12, to a secluded area where the abuse allegedly occurred.

Vargas Ramirez was arrested Nov. 2 on several felony counts of lewd acts with a child under 14 and a felony count of lewd acts with a child under 14 by force after allegedly fondling two girls, ages 5 and 8, while they were resting on a bench away from their families at San Miguel Community Park.

The girls walked away from Vargas Ramirez, who followed them, allegedly exposed himself and forced his hand into one of the girls’ underwear, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The Sheriff’s Office said he was a family friend, and was taken into custody after the children later told their parents.

The District Attorney’s Office filed three felony charges of lewd acts with a child under 14 and a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure. Vargas Ramirez remained in San Luis Obispo County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The Sheriff’s Office said more charges would be filed against him in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, where he is currently scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Dec. 10, but no additional charges had been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators are asking anyone with children who may have come in contact with Vargas Ramirez to call the Sheriff’s Office at 781-4500.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 2:39 PM with the headline "San Miguel child molestation case finds 10 more possible victims, authorities say."