San Diego

Babysitter Accused in Child Molestation Case Passed Background Check: YMCA

Carlsbad Police say Brittney Lyon would take two 7-year-old girls she was babysitting to her boyfriend's relatives’ home in the Bressi Ranch Community where he allegedly molested them while she recorded the acts.

An Escondido woman accused of filming the molestation of two girls in her care recently worked for an Oceanside youth care center where she passed a background check, the organization said Friday.

Brittney Lyon, 22, was arrested by Carlsbad Police following a tip police received July 5 from Oceanside Police.

Carlsbad Police say Lyon would take two 7-year-old girls she was babysitting to her boyfriend's relatives’ home in the Bressi Ranch Community where he allegedly molested them while she recorded the acts. One of the victims is a child with special needs.

"We had a 7-year-old female report to her mother that she didn’t want to go to the babysitter’s, because the babysitter used to bring her over to Sam’s house," Carlsbad Police Lt. Marc Reno said.

Investigators say they uncovered video evidence when they executed two search warrants at the home on Greenhaven Drive, north of Poinsettia Lane and west of El Fuerte Street.

Lyon and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Samuel Cabrera, Jr. were arraigned Friday on eight felony counts that included conspiracy and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of fourteen. They could face up to 90 years in prison if convicted. 

Lyon and Cabrera met in high school, and the alleged assaults started in January 2015, and happened repeatedly with the same two victims, for over a year. The special needs victim was incapable of communicating the details of the incident to her parents, officials said at the arraignment Friday. 

Lyon worked at Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside for six days before her arrest July 7. The YMCA of San Diego County told NBC 7 that Lyon cleared a background check before her employment.

Prior to the Oceanside location, Lyon worked at the Palomar Family YMCA in Escondido from May to August 2014.

The YMCA said it is working with Carlsbad Police in the investigation.

In a written statement, the YMCA added, “we have no reason to believe any child in the care of the YMCA has been harmed by this individual.”

Lyon has been placed on unpaid leave of absence until the investigation is complete.

Lyon advertised her services on Sitter.com, saying she was taking college classes online and had two years of experience as a special needs sitter.

A spokesperson for the website told NBC 7 they could not comment specifically on Lyon's profile but did say it had been removed from the site and that they were working with Carlsbad police.

Anyone can post a resume on Sitter.com. The website only does background checks when requested by users and for an additional fee.

Cabrera also had Lyon hide a video camera in her purse and record women undressing in gyms and dressing rooms, according to officials at the arraignment. 

Both suspects have been booked into Vista Detention Facility. Bail for Lyon was set at $100,000 and bail for Cabrera was set at $2.3 million.

Investigators believe there may be more victims. Anyone who has further information is asked to call Carlsbad Police Department’s tip line at (760) 931-2293.

The YMCA of San Diego County requires that all employees and volunteers complete Child Abuse Prevention training and sign a Code of Conduct statement.

Here is the statement in full:

The following is a statement from the YMCA of San Diego County regarding yesterday’s announcement from the Carlsbad Police Department:

We strive to provide excellent service to the community through high quality safe and enjoyable programs and facilities. The safety of our children, staff and volunteers are of the utmost importance and our number one priority at any YMCA of San Diego County facility.

The YMCA of San Diego County received notification about the arrest of Brittney Lyon from the Carlsbad Police Department on July 7, 2016. We are actively working with the Carlsbad PD on this ongoing investigation and appreciate all they are doing with the disturbing allegations.

We can confirm that Brittney Lyon was employed with the Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside for six days before the arrest was made. Ms. Lyons is on an unpaid leave of absence until further information or investigation is complete.

• Background checks are performed for every YMCA staff member and volunteer, and we have confirmed that Ms. Lyon’s check came back clear. Carlsbad PD confirmed that she had no prior record.

• Ms. Lyon was also previously employed by the Palomar Family YMCA in Escondido from May 2014-August 2014.

At this time we have no reason to believe any child in the care of the YMCA has been harmed by this individual.

The YMCA has zero tolerance policy for any type of abuse against a child, and any abuse is cause for immediate dismissal. Every YMCA employee or volunteer is required to complete Child Abuse Prevention training and signs a Code of Conduct statement. At no time during a YMCA program may a staff person be alone with a single child. Additionally, YMCA policies prevent employees or volunteers from any interaction with children or babysitting outside of YMCA programs. YMCA staff is also not allowed to transport children in personal vehicles.

At the YMCA we share a commitment to nurturing the potential of all members, giving back and supporting our neighbors. We encourage anyone with information or concerns to contact the Carlsbad Police Department’s tip line at 760-931-2293.

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