The downtown Los Angeles skyline.
In frightening new charges, Los Angeles Police Department officials say that one of their own may have sexually abused young children.
Miguel Angel Schiappapietra, a six-year veteran of the LAPD, was arrested last weekend on suspicion of committing lewd acts with children, the Los Angeles Times reported.
His alleged victims, two girls under the age of 10, apparently told detectives that Schiappapietra had lured them into his home in Castaic before committing the "lewd acts. "
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In a disturbing revelation, KTLA reported that the suspect is a father of young children himself.
He remains on paid administrative pending the outcome of an investigation by the Sheriff's Special Victims Unit, as well as an internal LAPD investigation, the Associated Press reported.
Schiappapietra's first court hearing was today. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the judge set the bail at $200,000. The next hearing is scheduled for May 30.