Man in US illegally wanted for allegedly groping 7-year-old Texas girl on her way home from school

A man wanted for touching a 7-year-old girl in Texas was previously investigated for several sexual assaults of young girls, police said.

Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, 43, is accused of groping a young Houston girl.  (Houston Police Department)

"A man came behind me, and he touched my private parts," the girl told the station.

"I hope he's caught and put away much longer, so he can't hurt other children," her mother said. 

Morales has a lengthy criminal history. In 2017, he was charged with four counts of indecency with a child and evading arrest. 

At the time, police believed Morales, who they called Ayala, was linked to "at least 10 sexual assault incidents in the northeast Houston and Harris County areas." 

Authorities were investigating a string of "sexual assaults of school-aged juvenile females, 7-15 years of age, as they traveled to and from school," according to the news outlet. 

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Carlos Jose Ayala Morales was seen following a young girl he grabbed, police said.  (Houston Police Department)

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In February 2024, he was released into ICE custody.

Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE.

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.

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