WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two West Palm Beach men are facing charges in connection with a child sexual battery investigation, officers announced Thursday.
The two suspects, identified as Josue David Mendez-Sales, 26, and Pablo Neftaly Cobon-Mendez, 23, are both facing charges of sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old.
According to the arrest documents, police were notified on July 30 that a young girl told her babysitter she had been inappropriately touched by two men identified as Mendez-Sales and Cobon-Mendez. Police say the two men were known to the victim.
The babysitter notified the Department of Children and Families, which conducted the initial investigation with the child and notified law enforcement.
The child disclosed during the interview that Cobon-Mendez molested her "every day." The child also had fresh, visible bruising and said Mendez-Sales hit her with a belt.
Cobon-Mendez admitted to investigators in an interview that about two weeks ago, when he was intoxicated, he molested the young girl. He faces two counts of sexual battery on a child.
Mendez-Sales stated he had intercourse with the girl about five times, but could not detail specifics because he always did so when intoxicated. He said the first time it happened was about three months ago, and admitted to hitting the child with a belt as a form of discipline this past weekend. He faces five counts of sexual battery on a child and one count of child abuse without great bodily harm.
During an afternoon news conference, West Palm Beach Police Department Chief Tony Araujo described the case as "heinous."
Both Cobon-Mendez and Mendez-Sales are being held at the Palm Beach County jail without bond.
Police said this case remains an active investigation.
