By Khalida Sarwari
A 40-year-old gardener pleaded guilty today to kidnapping a young girl to molest her as she was playing hide-and-seek with her friends in Morgan Hill nearly four months ago.
During a preliminary hearing in Morgan Hill today, Fidel Gaytan, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping for sexual gratification and one count of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child.
The charges stem from an incident on June 28 in the neighborhood of Pine Avenue, according to police.
The girl was playing outside with her friends while Gaytan was across the street working in a yard, police said.
When he saw the girl standing alone next to a mailbox, he walked up to her and told her he would help her find her friends, according to police.
He then grabbed the victim’s hand and walked her to an area between two homes covered by shrubs, where he allegedly pulled up her skirt. The victim pushed his hands away and was able to escape, police said.
Gaytan was arrested after the little girl notified an adult who reported the incident to police.
He is currently being held without bail at Santa Clara County Jail.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
