Mom Finds Toddler Naked With Stranger At Fast-Food Playground

PASADENA, CA — A mother in Pasadena had a terrible scare Thursday when she lost sight of her 4-year-old daughter at a fast-food play area, only to discover moments later her toddler undressed with a strange man.

Police were called to the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 1700 E. Colorado Blvd. at about 11:35 a.m., according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. They arrested a 48-year-old developmentally disabled man on suspicion of harassing the little girl.

"The mother entered the (eatery's) play structure after her daughter was momentarily out of her vision and discovered her daughter undressed," Derderian said. "The mother grabbed her daughter and fled from the play structure. A customer at the restaurant detained the suspect until police arrived within minutes."

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the arrested suspect is a man who suffers from severe developmental disability who was at the restaurant on an outing with a program for individuals with developmental issues. Responding officers arrested him on suspicion of harassing a child.

The man was evaluated by the department's Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Team and taken to a mental health facility for further assessment, Derderian said.

Pasadena Fire Department paramedics went to the scene to examine the child, but her family declined medical treatment, she said.

"Although her clothes were removed, the victim stated there was no physical harm," Derderian said. "The Special Victims Unit of the Pasadena Police Department will follow up and provide resources to assist the family."

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.