Riverside therapist arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting disabled girl – Press Enterprise

Behavioral therapist Mitchell Akira Takata, 21, has pleaded not guilty after being accused of sexually assaulting a Riverside girl with disabilities. He was arrested in May 2024. (Courtesy of Riverside Police Department)

Riverside Police are asking the public for information about any encounters with Mitchell Akira Takata, a 21-year-old behavioral therapist accused of abusing a young disabled girl.

Takata, 21, was arrested on May 23 and booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was held on $1 million bail.

Takata was charged on May 28 with attempted sexual intercourse with a child under 10, lewd acts with a child under 14 and attempted rape of a mentally or physically disabled person. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts and is due back in court on September 26.

The investigation began when police were called to a home where Takata had been working with a girl who police said was severely disabled and did not speak, a police department news release said. Someone there claimed Takata, who was present when police arrived, had abused the girl.

Takata worked for three years as a behavioral therapist, primarily with severely disabled children, police said. They are asking anyone with information about Takata to contact Detective Daniel Suarez at [email protected] or 951-353-7120.