MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230629-035
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Site Director Arrested on a Multitude of Sexual Crimes
San Mateo, CA - On Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in the morning hours, SMPD responded to Fiesta Gardens International School located at 1001 Bermuda Drive in San Mateo after a parent reported inappropriate interactions between her child and a staff member.
Because of the magnitude and seriousness of the victim’s statements, SMPD Detectives worked unceasingly on the investigation. SMPD learned the Boys and Girls Club operated the summer school program at the school and employed the adult, who worked as an assistant site director. SMPD identified Kevin Granados-Elizalde as the involved party.
SMPD Detectives later arrested Granados and booked him into San Mateo County Jail for a multitude of charges including contacting a minor to commit a felony, arranging a meeting with a minor, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under fourteen years old, use of an underage person for obscene matter, and possession of child pornography.
This is an ongoing investigation and the San Mateo Police Department continues to investigate this case. If you or someone you know has been victimized by Kevin Granados-Elizalde, please contact Detective Sergeant Dave Manion at (650) 504-7568 or by email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling (650) 522-7676.
This topic surrounding child sexual abuse can be difficult to discuss, but awareness is essential to protect our children. We wanted to share with our community some helpful tips and preventative measures highlighted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to better protect your family.
-Listen to your children. Pay attention if they tell you they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.
-Take time to talk with your children. Encourage open communications and learn how to be an active lister (https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/communication/activelistening.html)
-Teach your children they have the right to say NO to any touch or actions by others that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and to get out of those situations as quickly as possible. If avoidance is not an option, teach your children to kick, scream, and resist. When in such a situation, teach them to loudly yell, “This person is not my father/mother/guardian,” and immediately tell you or another trusted adult.
-Be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behavior or attitude. Encourage open communication.
-Some children may be coerced into activity they did not first understand to be inappropriate and/or do not know how to end. Children may be especially fearful of being punished, embarrassed, or experiencing the loss of the love and respect of their family members and friends.
-If your children do confide in you about problems they may be having, strive to remain calm, reassuring, and nonjudgmental. Listen compassionately to their concern, and work with them to get the help they need to resolve the problem.
For more information on child sexual abuse and exploitation visit the NCMEC website http://www.missingkids.com/home.
ARRESTED
Kevin Granados-Elizalde, a 25-year-old Redwood City resident
Charges: Second degree burglary (460(B) PC), contacting a minor with intent to commit a felony (288.3(A) PC), arranging a meeting with minor (288.4(A)(1) PC), lewd or lascivious acts with a child under fourteen years old (288(A) PC), use of an underage person for obscene matter (311.4(C) PC), and possession of child pornography (311.11(A) PC)
MEDIA CONTACT
Public Information Officer | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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