Santa Ana tutor suspected of molesting 12-year-old boy

Police arrested a tutor Tuesday, Aug. 25, who is suspected of molesting a 12-year-old boy in Santa Ana.

Investigators responded to the 500 block of East Pine Street and arrested Michael Douglas Bailey, 30, on suspicion of multiple counts of child abuse, Santa Ana police said in a news release. Investigators suspect he molested a 12-year-old boy he was tutoring.

The victim told authorities he was sexually assaulted in the suspect’s bathroom. There were multiple children in his apartment at the time, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

“This is a brazen act,” Bertagna said. “That makes us suspect he may have committed other crimes.”

Police said Bailey would often allow children from the neighborhood to use the internet at his home. He told students and their parents he was a former teacher, Bertagna said.

Bailey is not affiliated with the Santa Ana Unified School District. Police were working to determine whether he taught anywhere else, Bertagna said. The suspect has been released from custody after posting $100,000 bail.

Authorities asked anyone with information that might be relevant to investigators to contact Detective Nick Vega at 714-245-8368. Tips can also be left anonymously with Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or https://occrimestoppers.org/.