California
Assemblyman Arambula Arrested for Suspected Child Abuse
Fresno police arrested Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) Monday, Dec. 10, on accusations of child abuse.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer said Arambula was cited for misdemeanor willful cruelty to a child and then released.
CPS Contacts Fresno Police
Joaquin Arambula booking photo (Photo/ Fresno PD)
A child walked into the administrative offices there, and the school learned of the injuries and circumstances around it. The incident took place Sunday night, around 8:30 p.m., with the exact location kept confidential by investigators.
Officers interviewed the child, who provided a detailed statement indicating Arambula inflicted the injury. Police would not reveal the relationship between the child and Arambula, nor the type of injury received.
Shortly afterward, Arambula and his wife, Elizabeth, arrived in separate vehicles at the school. An attorney accompanied the assemblyman.
Dyer said that while Arambula did not provide a statement, he was “polite, cordial and cooperative.” Police placed him in a patrol car, where he was taken to downtown headquarters around 5 p.m. to be processed.
Arambula’s Office Issues Statement
“Joaquin is a committed father who wants what is best for his children. He is fully supportive of the process, which will show he is a loving and nurturing father.” — Statement by Arambula’s office
Arambula’s office, in a statement, said “Joaquin is a committed father who wants what is best for his children. He is fully supportive of the process, which will show he is a loving and nurturing father.”“Arambula has a solid reputation in this community. To my knowledge, he has not had past conflict with law enforcement. Unfortunately, this incident occurred, and our officers had to make an arrest,” Dyer said.
DA’s Office Hasn’t Received Case
The Fresno District Attorney’s office has yet to receive the case.
Arambula, a physician, won his third term representing the 31st District last month. The Democrat was first elected in a 2016 special election to fulfill the remainder of Henry T. Perea’s term.
The Assembly is on a break until Jan. 7.
