A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually assaulting a small child during a church prayer meeting held at a home in Trenton, New Jersey. Jose Agustin-Hernandez, 51, was identified by investigators after fleeing the scene.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
The incident allegedly occurred on Dec. 23, when Agustin-Hernandez attended a prayer meeting held at someone’s home.
During the meeting, Agustin-Hernandez allegedly entered the room of a 6-year-old girl who lives at the residence and sexually assaulted her while she was sleeping.
According to prosecutors, the girl escaped from the room and told a family member what had happened. Agustin-Hernandez then reportedly ran out of the home and was pursued by other individuals who were present at the meeting, but they soon lost sight of him.
After the family contacted authorities, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit conducted an investigation in which they interviewed several witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the area.
Agustin-Hernandez was arrested on Sunday (Dec. 29) and faces charges of first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree criminal sexual contact, and third degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutors have requested that Agustin-Hernandez remain in custody as he awaits trial.
