Incident Overview

Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, a 43-year-old man with a concerning criminal background, is currently a fugitive after being charged with felony attempted indecency with a child. The accusations stem from an incident that reportedly occurred on January 27 when he allegedly groped a 7-year-old girl as she was walking home from her elementary school in Texas. The Houston Police Department has issued a notice for Morales, who has a history of similar offenses.

Details of the Allegation

According to reports from Fox Houston, the young girl was walking behind her older sister and a friend when Morales approached her from behind, committed the alleged assault, and fled the scene. The distraught child did not scream due to shock but informed her older sister once they reached home.

The girl recounted, “A man came behind me, and he touched my private parts,” illustrating the trauma she experienced.

The girl’s mother expressed her concerns over the incident, saying, “I hope he’s caught and put away much longer, so he can’t hurt other children.”

Criminal History

This is not Morales’ first encounter with the law. His criminal history dates back to 2017 when he faced multiple charges, including four counts of indecency with a child and evading arrest. Authorities had previously linked him to at least ten sexual assault incidents targeting juvenile females aged between 7 and 15 in Houston and Harris County. The police detailed that Morales would allegedly approach his victims from behind and inappropriately touch them.

You could almost hear the echoes of fear when one victim’s mother said, “Reading that made me so scared, because that could have been my child.”

Previous Arrest and ICE Involvement

Following his arrest in 2017, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer request for Morales, who is a citizen of Honduras. After his convictions, the detainer was lifted, and he was subsequently sentenced to concurrent seven-year terms for various charges, including indecency with a child by exposure, and burglary.

Morales was released into ICE custody in February 2024, but it remains unclear how long he stayed in contact with law enforcement or any awaiting deportation processes.

Community Upheaval and Ongoing Investigation

The alleged attack on the young girl has instigated a sense of alarm within the local community. Parents are now more vigilant, worried about the safety of their children as they travel to and from school. Reports suggest the police are actively searching for Morales, and community leaders are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in his apprehension.

Escalating safety concerns have led to intense scrutiny on law enforcement and immigration policies that allow individuals with extensive criminal histories to evade quick prosecution or deportation.

Conclusion

The case of Carlos Jose Ayala Morales serves as a grim reminder of the potential risks facing children today. The community remains on high alert while police work to locate Morales and bring him to justice. If anyone has any information regarding his whereabouts, they are urged to contact local authorities immediately.

As the investigation continues, the horror of the alleged crime serves to bolster conversations about child safety and how law enforcement can better protect the young and vulnerable.