Wednesday, Cesar Renderos was arrested for sexual assault of a child. SAPD says he works for a non-profit that mentors local youth.
SAN ANTONIO — A member of a San Antonio non-profit that mentors youth was handcuffed Wednesday, accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenager.
24-year-old Cesar Ulises Renderos told our cameras he did nothing wrong.
In light of the arrest, police are sending an urgent message to parents. They’re urging parents to not only monitor their children’s activity online, but pay close attention to who their child considers a friend.
“I am innocent…I have not committed any crimes,” said 24-year-old Renderos as he was escorted into a San Antonio Police patrol car.
Police say Renderos worked at a non-profit in an environment where he was trusted by youth. Now, Renderos faces one count of sexual assault of a child.
Police say the girl’s parents notified them about the relationship that reportedly went on for several months. Investigators don’t believe Renderos met the teenager through work, but said parents need to be extra vigilant of their child’s activity online.
“Gaming sites, any type of social media. That’s where the predators are lurking,” said Lori Wittmeyer, Case Intake Manager with the non-profit Search & Support San Antonio.
Wittmeyer helps teach parents and children how to be as safe as possible online. Through the prevention and education team for the non-profit Ransomed Life, she goes out and trains groups from schools, church groups, boy scouts and girl scouts about the dangers of being online.
Children most vulnerable to predators, she said, are those suffering from trauma.
“Those who may have personal issues, may have had a death in the family, may have had an injury,” Wittmeyer explained. “People think, ‘Oh well, it’s not my part of town, it’s not my neighborhood.’ But I’ve got news for you. It is your part of town. It is your neighborhood, and it’s frightening…There is no child online that is exempt from this.”
Wittmeyer urges parents to ask questions and put safety guards in place as soon as possible.
“Where are you going? Who are you going to be with? What are the parents’ names? Where do they live? Look through your child’s phone, look through their social media accounts,” she continued. “It’s an unpleasant topic. Parents don’t want to frighten their children, but boy, I’ll tell you what, I trained both of my kids. I’m grateful that I did.”
Through her training, the education the public receives helps save lives. In one instance following a church training, Wittmeyer said half a dozen trafficking victims came forward and were able to be rescued.
Bobby Green, a spokesman for Search & Support San Antonio, works with children on a regular basis.
There is no certain age to talk to children about online safety and the dangers of human trafficking, Green says. Parents will know when their child is ready.
“It seems like they get younger and younger when they’re able to access the internet and understand different things, especially when it comes to sex,” said Green. “When their children are hiding their phones or hiding their tablets and things like that, that’s the time that you need to be worried.”
Green is hopeful non-profits will consider more vetting in light of this arrest.
For parents considering sending their children to a new afterschool program or youth facility, he suggests doing a little homework.
“Anybody that has had experience with that location, talk to them about their experiences,” said Green. “Take a tour.”
SAPD didn’t name the non-profit where Renderos worked because the organization is being fully cooperative with investigators.
“[Parents] think that they might be overbearing, too controlling, or things of that nature, but I don’t think so. I think the more involved that they are in their children’s lives, the better things are gonna be,” said Green, referring to parents communicating with their children about who they’re talking to online. “Limit the time on the tablet, limit the time on the phone, spend quality time with your kids…just let your children know that you care.”
Police say Renderos could be facing additional federal charges. Investigators also believe there could be more victims.
If you have any information about the suspect, call SAPD’s Special Victims Unit at 210-207-2313.
Wittmeyer is hosting an online safety training session February 1. Anyone is welcome. It will be at 2 p.m. at the American Red Cross headquarters located at 3642 E. Houston St.