Man Fakes Down Syndrome To Get Baths, Diaper Changes: Police

GILBERT, AZ — At least 30 times this summer, adult caregivers changed a Phoenix-area man’s diapers and gave him a bath, not learning until later that he didn’t have Down syndrome at all and never needed help with his personal hygiene, according to police.

The man, Paul Anthony Menchaca, 31, was arrested last week and charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse, among other charges. He is next due in court on Sept. 17.

Menchaca posed as as a woman named “Amy” on a website called carelinix.com and said he needed help with diaper changes and baths, according to court documents. Three women fell for the ruse, authorities said, but became suspicious when he became aroused or insisted they wash his genitals more thoroughly.

Posing as “Amy,” Menchaca asked the caregivers to punish him “when he soiled his diaper by putting him in a timeout and taking away his privileges,” according to a probable cause for arrest statement, KPHO/KTVX reported.

The diaper changes and baths occurred at locations around Gilbert and Chandler, according to television station KSAZ. On one occasion, a caregiver followed Menchaca home and was greeted at the door by his parents, who later told police their son didn’t have Down syndrome and didn’t wear adult diapers or need help bathing.

In court, one of the caregivers said her work has been affected and urged the judge to set a high bond.

“I’ve actually missed work for that, and I think that it should be held with either a substantial bond amount, or where he would not be released until the next court date, because I fear for my safety, in regards to that as well, as well as my family and friends, because I did bring my family and friends around him,” the woman said.

Photo via Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office