An Oklahoma woman says when she learned a predator had targeted her daughter, she decided to take action, not only to protect the girl, but to serve as a warning to other potential molesters.
The woman spoke exclusively with Tulsa radio station KRMG. The station referred to the mother as "Mary" to protect her identity and that of her daughter.
According to KRMG, "Mary" learned about the molestation by reading her daughter's journal. The daughter said the molestation occurred when she was 3 and 4 years old -- she's now 11.
"Mary" said the man who is accused of molesting her daughter is in the United States illegally. She worried that he'd flee to Mexico if he became suspicious that he was under scrutiny.
According to KRMG, "Mary" posed as her daughter on Facebook and began messaging the suspect with a specific goal in mind: To get him to confess to what he had done, in his own words, so she could go to police with solid evidence.
"Mary" told KRMG it took time, and some very nervous encounters with the accused, but she convinced him he was actually talking to the daughter. "Mary" said she got him to confess to the past crimes and gathered additional incriminating evidence that was handed over to authorities.
Police have arrested Rafael Hernandez Reyes. He faces one count of lewd molestation and one count of lewd proposal to a minor. Additional charges could be added, according to KRMG.
Reyes is also being held for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Mary" says she hopes her story will serve as a warning to other child predators.
