San Diego Police Arrest Bay Terraces Suspect After Girl, 12, Reports Kidnapping and Sexual Battery

What police say happened in Bay Terraces

San Diego police arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with an incident reported by a 12-year-old girl who said she was coerced into a vehicle while walking home from school in Bay Terraces.

Police said the girl was approached in the 2400 block of Dusk Drive on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Investigators allege the man persuaded the child to get into the vehicle and then drove her around for several hours. Police said the suspect made inappropriate physical contact with the child before dropping her off near her home.

Arrest and charges

Police identified the suspect as Delaeno Moorman, 35, and said he was taken into custody on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Authorities said he was booked into San Diego County Jail.

The reported booking offenses include:

• Kidnapping
• Lewd and lascivious act with a child under 14 years old
• Disorderly conduct/lewd act

The case remains in the early stages of the criminal process. An arrest and booking do not determine guilt; the allegations must be tested in court, and prosecutors must decide what charges to file and prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

How investigators say the suspect was identified

Police said officers and detectives used investigative methods that included the department’s Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system, which can help locate and identify vehicles through captured plate data. Authorities did not provide additional detail about the specific leads that connected the suspect to the reported incident.

Why the timeline matters

The reported sequence spans two days: the incident was reported as occurring March 3, 2026, and police said the arrest followed on March 4, 2026. In cases involving children, investigators typically prioritize rapid identification and custody decisions to reduce the risk of repeat contact, preserve evidence, and support victim safety planning.

If you have additional information about the reported incident, police said to contact the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

What has not been released

Police have not publicly detailed the type of vehicle involved, what specific evidence was collected, or whether investigators believe there are additional victims. Authorities also have not released information about court dates, conditions of custody, or whether prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint.