Police have arrested a man accused of pretending to have Down's syndrome and tricking care workers into bathing him and changing his nappies. / ABC 15
An Arizona man pretended he had Down Syndrome so that he could hire caregivers to bathe him and change his nappy, police say.
Paul Anthony Menchaca, 30, was arrested at his parents' home last Thursday in Gilbert, Arizona, after it was discovered that he did not have Down Syndrome.
Allof Menchaca's three alleged victims are women.
The first victim is said to have responded to a May ad on CareLinx.com, AZFamily reports.
The site describes itself as being "a nationwide caregiver marketplace" and aims to "easily find, hire, manage and pay licensed caregivers online" for families.
Under the identity of a woman named 'Amy', Menchaca conned the first carer by saying he wanted to care for his grown son.
The woman stated that she gave Menchaca assisted care 30 times at two addresses, neither of which were his home address.
During her time caring for the man, the caregiver could recall five "separate incidents when [Menchaca] aggressively said his genitals were not cleaned enough."
The first caregiver then referred the second in July and then those two referred the third in August. The following two caregivers agreed to the terms that 'Amy' sought.
Paul Anthony Menchaca, 30, was arrested at his parents' home last Thursday after it was discovered that he did not have Down Syndrome. Photo / Sheriff's Office
All three caregivers only corresponded about payment and instructions with 'Amy' via text.
"'Amy' asked all three victims to 'punish' [Menchaca] when he soiled his diaper by putting him in timeout and taking away his privileges," an arrest affidavit stated.
"All three victims were paid in cash by [Menchaca] when they picked him up and dropped him off from neutral locations."
In the beginning of September, the first caregiver grew "suspicious of [Menchaca's] behavior' and followed him home from where she dropped him off.
"[The victim] was greeted by [Menchaca's] actual mother and father and discovered [Menchaca] did not have Down syndrome and did not require diaper changes," the affidavit stated.
The three caregivers then confronted the man, who "admitted to lying to them about his mental condition."
When the caregivers handed 'Amy's' number over to authorities, they discovered that the number belonged to Menchaca.
One of the women spoke at the man's initial court appearance and all three provided written statements.
"I fear for my safety in regards to that, as well as my family and friends because I did bring my family and friends around him," the woman said, hoping that he would get 'substantial' bond.
Menchaca claimed that he does have special needs, adding that he is working with his parents to get help.
"I just want to let you know I am special needs,' Menchaca said. "I do have a low IQ level. And … my mum and dad both have paperwork to prove that. And I'm starting to talk to my dad about getting me some help and getting me into a counselor and probably like a rehab center to talk to somebody."
The man has no criminal history and is expected to reappear in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday.
He was charged with fraudulent schemes and sexual abuse.
Commissioner Michelle Carson instructed Menchaca that he couldn't have contact with the women. She also set a secured bond of $15,000.
"You must obey the terms of any order of protection or order against harassment that's issued or may be issued in the future," she added.
