In-home Caregiver Arrested for Molesting an Autistic Child NR11168SF

Los Angeles:  On April 13, 2011, Jeremy Shawn Stockton was arrested by LAPD Devonshire Division officers for Lewd Acts with a Child under the age of 14, after the autistic child came forward with details of the molestation.

The suspect, 29-year-old Jeremy Shawn Stockton, is an employee of Wellspring, a local agency that specializes in behavioral intervention for young children with autism.  Since May 2008, Stockton has worked for Wellspring as an in-home caregiver for developmentally disabled children.  He has also been a special education trainee at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Van Nuys.  Although not a YMCA employee, in 2009, he worked among developmentally disabled children at the YMCA facility in La Canada. He then worked at Valley Therapeutic Recreational Center in North Hollywood.

On April 14, 2011, the District Attorney’s office filed multiple counts of lewd acts against children under the age of 14.  Stockton is being held on $1.45 million bail.

Suspect Stockton  is described as a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds.  

Detectives investigating the case believe there may be additional victims.  Anyone with information about this case, or any unreported cases are asked to call Devonshire Division Detective Pikor at 818- 832-0985, or Detective Cox at 818-832-0978.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.