Hatch babysitters accused of sexually assaulting two children

Doña Ana County sheriff’s deputies arrested a couple accused of sexually assaulting two children under the age of 13.

Jorge Espinoza-Vega, 56, and his live-in girlfriend, 41-year-old Imelda Carbajal, allegedly abused and assaulted two children they cared for in their Hatch home, officials said.

The children, who are cousins, later told their grandmother their babysitters asked each of them to take showers with them. The children also said they were sexually assaulted on several occasions at the couple’s home, over a two year period.

Espinoza-Vega is charged with two counts of criminal sexual penetration (by force or coercion) and three counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. At the time of his arrest, he also had an active warrant for failure to appear, officials said.

Carbajal is charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact (by force or coercion), two counts of criminal sexual penetration (by force or coercion) and one count of enticement of a child.

Both are currently being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.