The Houston Police Department is currently on the lookout for a suspect involved in the assault of a 7-year-old girl. The incident took place in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, as the young girl was making her way home from school.
Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, 43, is currently being sought after on a felony charge of attempting indecency with a child.
The incident took place at around 3 p.m. on January 27th. According to HPD, Ayala allegedly inappropriately grabbed and touched the young girl as she was walking along Omar Street in the 800 block.
Ayala’s background
Ayala’s past was further examined, uncovering a lengthy record of criminal activity that included multiple assaults resembling the recent attack.
Ayala, who was born in Honduras, has lived in both Dallas and Houston.
Ayala’s criminal history dates back to 1999, when he faced charges of burglary in Dallas. In 2017, he was apprehended in Houston after evidence was discovered by HPD connecting him to a minimum of 10 sexual assaults that occurred between 2014 and 2017.
In 2017, Ayala, who was linked to the crimes, did not comply when authorities tried to stop his vehicle. Instead, he chose to evade the officers and led them on a brief chase. Eventually, he was apprehended and taken into custody.
After his arrest, he faced charges of four counts of indecency with a child and one count of felony evading. According to court records, he received a seven-year prison sentence for these charges and was subsequently released in February 2024.
HPD officials have confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation into the case. They have assured that more information will be provided regarding this matter.
The January assault
Ayala was captured on security and doorbell cameras at nearby homes in the area during the January assault. The footage clearly shows Ayala’s presence in the vicinity.
Ayala was spotted walking and jogging on Reagan Street and Watson Street in the vicinity following the attack.
Crime Stoppers of Houston is currently offering a reward of up to $5,000 for any information that can help identify and apprehend the suspect involved in this investigation. As Ayala is still at large, it remains uncertain whether anyone will come forward to claim the reward.
If you have any information regarding Ayala’s location, please contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip online at crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Rest assured that your tips can be kept anonymous.
