A Long Island mother has shared her heartbreak after her five-year-old daughter was allegedly raped by an illegal immigrant living in their home.
The mother, Petronila, 46, described her anguish to The New York Post, revealing that she feels “sad, scared, and losing confidence in the world” following the arrest of 27-year-old Wilson Castillo Diaz, a Honduran national charged with the assault.
According to Nassau County Police, the incident occurred on October 16 inside the family’s shared Westbury residence. Diaz, who rented a room in the home, allegedly lured the child into his room, assaulted her, and showed her pornographic images on his TV. Afterwards, the young girl reportedly confided in her mother, saying, “Ma, I don’t want him to be here.” A few days later, she shared more details, explaining, “He dragged me into his room. I was super, super scared.”
Petronila reported the assault to the police, and her daughter was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The family claims that troubling behaviour from Diaz began soon after he moved into their basement two years ago. Initially, he had invited the child into his room, leading her mother and older brothers to caution her to stay away.
At a press conference, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder expressed concern that Diaz may have additional victims. “This 27-year-old man did not suddenly decide to target a child,” Ryder said, urging any other potential victims to come forward.
Federal authorities report that Diaz entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in 2014 near Rio Grande, Texas. Although initially detained, he was released with a notice to appear in immigration court, which he missed. He was subsequently ordered deported in absentia in 2016.
Diaz is now facing charges of rape, attempted rape, and endangering the welfare of a child. He remains in Nassau County Jail on a $200,000 cash bond.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman voiced outrage over the incident, saying Diaz “should have never been in this country.” He added, “It’s devastating that a young girl’s innocence was stolen in such a horrifying way.”
The investigation remains ongoing with Nass.
