Behavioral therapist Mitchell Akira Takata, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of sexually molesting a handicapped Riverside girl. He was arrested in May 2024. (Courtesy of Riverside Police Department)
Riverside police are asking the public for information on any encounters they may have had with Mitchell Akira Takata, a 21-year-old behavioral therapist who has been accused of molesting a young handicapped girl.
Takata, 21, was arrested on May 23 and was booked into Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
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Takata on May 28 was charged with attempted sexual intercourse with a child younger than 10, lewd acts with a child under 14 and attempted rape against a person with a mental or physical disability. He pleaded not guilty to all three felony charges and is due back in court on Sept. 26.
The investigation began when police were called to a home where Takata had been working with a girl who police said was severely handicapped and did not speak, a Police Department news release said. Someone there alleged that Takata, who was present when police arrived, had molested the girl.
Takata has worked as a behavioral therapist for three years, primarily with severely disabled children, police said. They ask that anyone with information on Takata contact to contact Detective Daniel Suarez at DSuarez@RiversideCA.gov or 951-353-7120.