McDonald's worker charged with sex exploitation of child
WARNING: Contains graphic content
CHICAGO (STNG) - A 52-year-old man working at a Northwest Side McDonald's has been charged with performing a sexual act in front of an 8-year-old girl in the play area of the restaurant a week and a half ago.
Pablo Salgado, of the 2900 block of North Monitor Avenue, was charged with sexual exploitation of a child, according to police. Salgado was expected to appear for a bond hearing later Tuesday at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse.
Salgado was arrested Monday at 5:40 p.m. at the restaurant in the 3500 block of North Harlem Avenue and the felony charge was approved at 10:37 p.m. Monday, according to police.
The alleged incident took place the evening of Sept. 19 at the restaurant at the Harlem Avenue address when Salgado was cleaning the slides in the children’s play area where an 8-year-old girl went to play, according to police.
Salgado allegedly asked the victim, “Do you know what the older kids do in the tunnel slides after the store is closed? They rub each other.’’ This he supposedly said while rubbing his groin area, groaning and telling the girl that the older kids “like it,’’ according to police.
He allegedly began rubbing his penis and the victim attempted to leave but he placed his hand on her shoulder, preventing her from leaving, police said.
Salgado, police said, became distracted when another child walked into the play area and the victim was then able to walk away.
Police were notified of the incident late on Sept. 22.
Salgado was reportedly arrested in 2003 for public indecency and was convicted for criminal sexual abuse in 1999 for which he received supervision, according to police.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s was not immediately available.
Grand Central Area detectives are investigating.
Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.