TROUBLING

Arizona Migrant Detention Employee Accused of Molesting 14-Year-Old

He is facing charges of sexual abuse, child molestation, and aggravated assault.

An Arizona migrant detention center employee is accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl who was being held at the Southwest Key facility in Phoenix. Fernando Magaz Negrete, 32, faces charges of sexual abuse, child molestation, and aggravated assault. The girl’s roommate reported the alleged abuse to police. Surveillance video shows Negrete approaching the room where the girl was staying with two other minors several times Friday night. Negrete is accused of touching the girl’s breasts and crotch over her clothes and kissing her. Phoenix police said Negrete admitted his involvement. His bond was set at $150,000. The facility he worked at houses immigrant children who were separated from their parents. Southwest Key is a nonprofit organization that houses children at facilities in Arizona, California, and Texas under a $458 million government contract. At least two other instances of sexual abuse at Southwest Key facilities have been reported, according to The Arizona Republic. The organization did not immediately return the news outlet’s request for comment.