Girl kidnapped by fake animal control worker while looking for dog, CA cops say
A man posed as an animal control worker and kidnapped a girl looking for her lost pet, then molested her, California deputies say.
San Bernardino County deputies said they responded to a report of a kidnapping in Highland just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, according to an Aug. 21 news release from the sheriff’s department.
The caller told deputies an 11-year-old girl had been kidnapped, escaped and ran home, deputies said.
As they investigated, deputies said they learned a man, later identified as Guillermo Cascante, 57, approached the girl, who was looking for her missing dog, in “an older white ambulance style van.”
Cascante offered his help, saying he was with animal control, and the girl got into his van, deputies said.
Cascante pulled out a handgun, then drove the girl around the city and molested her, deputies said.
Cascante let the girl leave the van about a mile from where he had found her looking for her dog and fled as the girl ran home, according to deputies.
Deputies said they searched the area and found a van that matched the girl’s description about two miles from where she was set free.
The next day, deputies said, they served a search warrant at a Highland home and arrested Cascante.
Cascante was booked into jail on multiple counts, including kidnapping and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, according to deputies.
Cascante is being held without bail and was scheduled to appear in court Aug. 22, jail records show.
In an Aug. 22 email to McClatchy News, a San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson said Cascante was charged with multiple felonies, including forcible lewd act on a child under 14, with special allegations of “aggravating circumstances, including kidnapping and use of a firearm.”
Cascante is scheduled appear in court for arraignment Monday, Aug. 25, the spokesperson said.
Deputies said they believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact them at 909-425-9793.
Highland is about a 65-mile drive east from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Girl kidnapped by fake animal control worker while looking for dog, CA cops say."
