NewsCrime

Actions

PD: New victim says Gilbert man faked Down syndrome to be bathed

Posted at 10:15 AM, Jan 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-08 12:27:40-05

Another victim has emerged in the case of a Gilbert man arrested for pretending to have Down syndrome and hiring caregivers to bathe him and change his diapers.

Police arrested 31-year-old Paul Anthony Menchaca on September 6 at his home, near Val Vista Drive and Williams Field Road.

Menchaca reportedly posed as "Amy" and hired a caregiver to bathe and change the diapers of her son with Down syndrome.

The first victim later reported to police that she assisted Menchaca with diaper changes and baths on 30 occasions over the summer. These happened at various locations in the East Valley.

A second and third victim took over caregiving duties starting in July. Police say the three victims all know each other, and all said Menchaca would become sexually aroused as he was being bathed.

Another victim has since come forward, police say. This woman heard about the allegations against Menchaca and reported her incidents to Gilbert police.

Gilbert police say this victim’s account was similar to the other victims and occurred in the same time frame.

Menchaca’s trial for the first arrest begins on January 15.

ABC15 spoke to some of the caregivers, who asked to remain anonymous.

"He needed shower and grooming, he couldn't use the bathroom himself, he couldn't really be alone by himself. He acted like a child; his whole demeanor was childlike. He would act in tantrums, talk like a child, act like a child," one caregiver said. "Why would you do that? Why would you make us change you knowing you didn't have to. Why didn't you give us a choice?"

At one point, the first victim became suspicious and followed Menchaca to his actual home, after he was dropped off by another caregiver.

She knocked on the door and met Menchaca's parents, then discovered he does not have Down syndrome or need diapers.