A Los Angeles area babysitter who also markets himself as a children’s snowboard instructor is accused of sexually abusing a child he was babysitting, according to authorities.
There may be additional victims of Vincent Everette Smith, Jr., the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release on Friday, January 9.
Smith, 28, is charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, California Superior Court records show.
His public defender, Mitra Rose Donde, did not immediately return Us Weekly’s request for comment on Tuesday, January 13.
“Babysitting, unfortunately, represents an ideal opportunity for child predators,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “I urge anyone with any information about the defendant or other suspected child abusers to come forward.”
The charges against Smith stem from when the district attorney’s office said he was sexually abusing a child he had been caring for between April 2021 and February 2022.
Smith, according to the office, “befriended” the child before the sexual abuse, which allegedly involved restraining the child.
Smith “had substantial sexual conduct with the victim; and the crimes involve tying or binding,” the district attorney’s office said.
When the abuse occurred, the Torrance Police Department said in a January 8 news release that “Smith was employed as a hired babysitter in the Los Angeles area.”
He was arrested on December 9, police said.
Smith, according to authorities, has advertised babysitting and snowboard instruction services online in Los Angeles County.
His advertisements have appeared on “online marketplaces which assist in connecting families with caregivers,” police said.
Authorities did not specify which online platforms Smith was said to have used.
According to police, Smith is also known to run a “snowboard club” for children.
“He is believed to have worked in various locations across the United States,” police said.
Outside of California, Smith has a pending criminal case in Colorado, according to police.
Before his December 9 arrest in Los Angeles County, he was charged with felony sexual assault on a child while in a position of trust in Colorado Springs, police said.
He posted bond in that case, and was not supposed to leave Colorado or “be around children under the age of 18 following his release,” according to police.
Smith has been detained in Los Angeles County since he made his initial court appearance on December 11, according to the district attorney’s office. He is being held without bail.
Smith was due in court for an arraignment on Monday, January 12, records show.
If Smith is convicted of the charges against him, he would face 50 years to life in prison and would have to register as a sex offender, according to the district attorney’s office.
The district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Us.
The Torrance Police Department, which is continuing to investigate Smith, is seeking potential victims and witnesses.
The department encourages anyone with information on Smith to contact Torrance police Detective Lowery at 310-618-5570.
Anonymous tips can also be called in to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-8477 or reported online.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
