Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Arizona Man Accused Of Faking Down Syndrome To Get Baths And Diaper Changes
Three female caretakers told police that Paul Menchaca would become sexually aroused when bathed and that he asked at least one of them to clean his genitals better during diaper changes.
A man from Gilbert, Arizona is accused of pretending to have Down syndrome so that he could get caregivers to bathe him and change his diapers.
Police say Paul Anthony Menchaca, 31, posed online as "Amy," the mother of a man with Down syndrome. He then allegedly hired caretakers over apps like Carelinx and care.com to bathe and change his diaper, according to KTNV in Las Vegas.
“’Amy’ asked all three victims to ‘punish’ [Menchaca] when he soiled his diaper by putting him in timeout and taking away his privileges,” an arrest affidavit obtained by AZFamily said.
Three female caretakers all told police that Menchaca would become sexually aroused when bathed. One caretaker, Sara Allen, told police that during five of the 30 times she helped bathe and change Menchaca’s diapers, he allegedly told her that his genitals were not cleaned well enough.
Allen became suspicious and said she followed Menchaca to his parent’s home on Sept. 2. She said his parents told her that he did not have Down syndrome. Allen and the other two victims took care of Menchaca for months.
After Allen realized Menchaca didn’t have any special needs, she called police, who arrested him on Sept. 6 at his home, KTNV reported. He has been charged with fraudulent schemes and sexual abuse. He’s being held on a $15,000 bond.
"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," Allen told KPNX in Phoenix. "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?"
Menchaca reportedly worked part time as a school crossing guard and aide for the Chandler Unified School District. He resigned a week before his arrest.
Menchaca spoke at a hearing after his arrest, where he defended his actions by pointing to his low-IQ level, according to KPNX. He also said he is seeking counseling.
[Photo: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office]
