People v. Cruz CA4/2

BACKGROUND

Doe lived in her grandmother’s home from 2011 to 2014, when Doe was roughly

eight to 11 years old. Cruz was her grandmother’s long-term partner and also lived in the

home. Cruz was the closest thing Doe had to a father. Doe, her mother, and Doe’s two

younger sisters slept in the home’s only bedroom. Doe’s grandmother and Cruz slept in

the living room.

Doe’s mother worked “in the fields” during the day, and starting around

December 2013, she also worked nights at a resort. Doe’s mother moved in with her

partner in June 2014. She took one of Doe’s sisters with her in June; Doe and her second

sister remained at Doe’s grandmother’s home for another month or so. In July 2014, Doe

and the second sister also moved into the mother’s partner’s home.

Juan Perez rented a room from Doe’s mother’s partner. Doe was visiting that

home in June 2014 when Perez touched her breasts and genitals over her clothes. He did

2 not penetrate her. Doe’s sister was with Doe during the incident, and Doe immediately

told her sister to get their mother. Perez was chased out of the house, and her mother

called the police. Perez pled guilty to one count of lewd act on a child under age…