Sexual assault suspect pleads not guilty

A Huntington Beach man pleaded not guilty Friday to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 7-year-old autistic girl.

Daniel Vlas Flores, 27, originally identified as Daniel Blas Flores, is being held on $1-million bail after being charged with one felony count of kidnapping to commit a sexual offense, sexual intercourse and sexual penetration with a child under 10 and sentencing enhancements for great bodily harm to a sexual assault victim.

The 7-year-old girl was playing in her apartment complex’s park with a friend and babysitter when Flores allegedly grabbed the victim by the hand and led her to his apartment Aug. 19.

Once inside, Flores is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse and digital penetration with the girl before she was able to escape.

The girl returned to her home and informed her mother of the assault. The mother reported the incident to the police, and Flores was arrested the same day.

If convicted of all charges, Flores will face a minimum of 25 years to life and a maximum of 65 years to life in state prison.

His pretrial is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 20 in Room W14 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

— Britney Barnes