UPDATE #3: Sexual Battery in Poway 

May 9, 2026 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that they have made an arrest in a sexual battery incident san diego county sheriff department logoinvolving a 10-year-old girl in Poway.  

On Saturday, May 2, just after 6:00 p.m., a 10-year-old girl was sexually battered by a man near the 13400 block of Midland Road. The juvenile's friend was with her and screamed for the suspect to stop. He stopped and fled the scene on an electric scooter. Deputies from the Poway Sheriff's Station, assisted by a Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter and Sheriff's K-9 Unit, searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit (CAU) Detectives took over the investigation. 

The Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit (CAU) worked diligently investigating this case and followed several tips and leads. CAU Detectives had probable cause to believe Jose Santana (36) was in violation of one (1) count of 288(b)(1) PC – Lewd and Lascivious act on a child under 14 years of age with force.

On Wednesday, May 6, Santana was arrested and booked into the San Diego Central Jail.

Here are links to our previous news releases:

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at (858) 285-6222/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance and cooperation.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office