Foster Dad Held On $31.5M For Child Sex Abuse: Contra Costa Co.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A 64-year-old man who fostered children at his home for at least 18 years as part of the Contra Costa County’s Children and Family Services program has been charged with sexual abuse of multiple children and unlawfully having sex with a minor.

Simon Chavez of Antioch was charged earlier this month with 63 felonies and on July 16 he pleaded not guilty in the Pittsburg Superior Court, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. He is being held at Martinez Detention Center with bail set at $31.5 million.

Chavez's 31-year-old son, Simon Magana Chavez of Atwater, was also charged as part of the investigation. The younger Chavez was arraigned Friday in Pittsburg Superior Court where he pleaded not guilty to multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to crimes against two children, including lewd acts against a child and unlawful sex, according to the DA's office. His bail was set at $1.23 million.

The investigation is ongoing and active, according to the DA's office. Members of the public with information about the case should call Antioch Police Department Detective Kelly Inabnett at 925-779-6932.