Police: Suspect fondled several Parlier students

It happened in Parlier on Fresno Street near Newmark Ave.

Police say the attacks happened on the campuses of both Brletic Elementary School and Parlier High School next door.

Investigators believe numerous students were attacked during a one-hour time period Tuesday morning.

The suspect was caught after he followed one girl into her classroom.

Dolores Flores says her 11-year-old daughter was walking to class when she was sexually assaulted by a man lingering on campus. But the assault didn't stop there. "He went and followed her into class and telling the teacher that he was her brother and to go with him and she told the teacher that wasn't her brother."

Flores says the teacher quickly notified the principal who in turn flagged down a police officer.

"I was very proud of our staff and the way they reacted they reacted really quick," Principal Rosie Barboa said.

"I was on regular patrol around the school area I was flagged down by a school official Statin Gthere was a suspicious Hispanic male subject in the girls bathroom," Officer Angelica Sandoval said.

Sandoval found the suspect and arrested him. She says he has a history of mental illness.

Parlier police say between 7 and 8 Tuesday morning--the 27-year-old man sexually assaulted and tried to kidnap the children.

"From the total today I heard it happened to maybe 13 children."

Roy Castillo says at around 7 a.m., his 12-year-old daughter was waiting alone at a bus stop in front of the school when she was assaulted by the suspect. He says the man tried to get his daughter to get in his car.

"My daughter is in a little shock right now but she's doing good in spirits," Castillo said.

The suspect's mother told Action News that her son has left the Parlier Police Department and is now at a hospital undergoing mental evaluation.

School officials say counselors will be on campus tomorrow to talk to students about the assaults.