What did Arthur Fernandez do? Houston Galleria toddler assault incident explored as Texas man charged with crime

Arthur Fernandez, a Texas man, was recently charged with s*xually assaulting toddlers at the Houston Galleria, where he worked at the kiosk. According to court documents cited in multiple reports, Fernandez is accused of filming videos at the restroom where he was seen assaulting 2 and 3-year-olds along with other unidentified men and then posting them online.

Trigger warning: This story contains details about s**ual assault. Reader discretion is advised

The children’s mothers, who worked at the mall, reportedly entrusted them with Fernandez, 29, who offered to watch them after they sometimes brought them to the mall, unable to obtain childcare.

ABC13 reported Fernandez, who was supposed to watch the children, would bring them into a bathroom, where he would assault them and film the heinous act. The videos, where at least seven people were seen making vulgar comments and assaulting the children, were then uploaded online.

Fernandez was the only suspect arrested in the case as authorities have yet to identify other perpetrators in the clip. He is charged with s*xual exploitation of children.

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Arthur Fernandez Houston Galleria toddler assault allegations explored

Houston Galleria employee Arthur Fernandez was busted for s*xually assaulting toddlers at the mall restroom and posting videos online after an Australian group investigating child s*x crimes found the clips and alerted the FBI.

Outlining the incident, court documents revealed at least four short videos of more than one assailant assaulting two 2-year-olds in a Galleria restroom. According to court documents, Fernandez actively took part in at least two of these recordings.

One of the videos purportedly showed a male youngster being abused while sitting on a changing table in the mall lavatory, and Fernandez was apparently filming the whole thing, according to court records obtained by USA Today. Three other recordings showed several males, including Fernandez, abusing a toddler who was on a changing table.

After the FBI allegedly recognized one of the kids, they got in touch with Fernandez's mother, who recognized him from the video by his clothes. Investigators also found a relative of another child through photos on the suspect’s Instagram and then located the child’s mother, who identified the perpetrator through his clothing.

However, police have yet to identify other suspects who were caught assaulting the kids in the Houston Galleria restroom. ABC 13 reported after authorities raided Fernandez's home, they found the clothes he was wearing in the video and also confiscated electronic devices.

According to USA Today, a judge who ordered Fernandez to remain in jail pending trial slammed the suspect in a written court document. He wrote:

“The evidence in this case is overwhelming and revolting. I cannot allow (him) to abuse any other minors and there are no conditions or combinations of conditions that can alleviate a danger to the community. This is not a close call.”

Fernandez is reportedly no longer employed at the Houston Galleria.