Opelika police arrest a man for allegedly sexually abusing his girlfriend’s young child

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – A man was arrested by Opelika police on allegations that he sexually abused his girlfriend’s child – who was four years old. According to investigators, 35-year-old Jose Pascual was the boyfriend of the child’s biological mother at the time of the abuse.

According to court documents, the investigation began more than a year ago, on April 18, 2023, when an Opelika detective met with the guardians of a four-year-old child who has been in their care since August 2022 while her birth mother improved in living conditions. During her detention, the child described details indicating that her mother’s boyfriend had sexually abused her. The details are too graphic. On April 19, 2023, the child was taken to a children’s counseling center. However, she was unable to answer initial questions.

Investigators later determined that the friend, identified as Pascula, was present for a scheduled visit with the birth mother and child. On May 8, 2024, Pascula was at the Opelika Police Department for a polygraph test and interview. The lie detector was conducted by an FBI special agent, a certified examiner who speaks Spanish. Pascual waived his Miranda rights before the exam. Pascual initially stated that he never had contact with the child and that he remained with the birth mother after the child was placed in foster care. Investigators say Pascula later confessed to being in the house with the child. On May 10, 2024, Pascola returned to the Opelika Police Department for an additional polygraph examination and interview. Investigators said he first lied about touching the child inappropriately and then admitted he was just playing. Pascula was arrested the same day and charged with sexual abuse of a child under 12. He remains behind bars at the Lee County Detention Center.