Hollister couple arrested for alleged sexual assault at daycare facility

UPDATE 7/16/15: Josephina Ramirez has been running an in-home day care facility in Hollister since 1995. It all came to an end when police said they got a report of a child being inappropriately touched inside her home on Howard Court.

“We do think since this has been going on for so long, the last 20 years or so, there’s a possibility that more victims are out there,” Police Chief David Westrick said.

On July 10, police arrested Alberto Ramirez, Josephina’s husband, for multiple child sex abuse charges. Then on Wednesday, Josephina was taken into custody as an accessory.

Now out of jail, Ramirez’s refused to comment for this story. Neighbors describe the couple as friendly and loving.

“It’s shocking. It is, because they are such a nice couple they’ve been married for so long. It’s hard to hear that,” said Ramirez’s neighbor, who asked us not to use her name. “I never would have imagined that they would do that because she had the day care for, like many, many, many years.”

Police said several victims were children of undocumented immigrants who may have been targeted because they were less likely to report the crime. Still, investigators urge for victims to come forward.

“Regardless of your status being documented or undocumented, we want to talk to you, we want to hear from you, we want to get you the help that you need. We want to make sure that justice is served,” Westrick said.

The day care is currently closed. The State Department of Social Services, Community Care licensing board shows that Ramirez has been cited multiple times for health and safety violations and had not complied with child care regulations.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Hollister couple has been arrested for alleged cases of sexually assault on children at a daycare facility, possibly targeting undocumented workers, according to police.

Investigators said they investigated a report of a child being inappropriately touched by the daycare provider’s husband, Alberto Ramirez, at the daycare on Howard Court. After investigating that incident, police said they learned there were more victims.

Police said the daycare has been operating in Hollister since 1995 by Josefina Ramirez. Alberto was arrested July 10 and Josefina was arrested July 14 as an accessory to the crimes allegedly committed, according to police.

Detectives contacted the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division to suspend the daycare’s license. They also said Ramirez did not comply with required child care licensing regulations.

Investigators believe the daycare may have been targeting undocumented workers who may be less likely to get help from police. The Hollister Police Department wants to remind the public that cases of criminal offenses are investigated, regardless of the victim’s immigration status.

Anyone with more information is urged to call police at 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.