Dayton man admits raping baby sitter

RENO - A Dayton man admitted he raped and kidnapped a 14-year-old Carson City girl he contacted through a baby-sitting ad.

Michael Botelho, 42, changed his plea Thursday in Washoe District Court. In exchange for the plea to kidnapping and three counts of sexual assault, a charge of battery was dismissed.

According to police reports, Botelho allegedly contacted the girl after she placed a classified ad offering baby-sitting services in a free-distribution paper.

Under the ruse that he needed a sitter for his children, Botelho picked up the girl on Aug. 6 at her home and drove her to Washoe Lake, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her for nearly an hour, said Sgt. Dave Nikoley of the Washoe County Sheriff's Department.

Botelho then drove the girl back to her neighborhood, dropped her off and warned her to keep quiet. She immediately reported the incident.

When Botelho discovered he was wanted for questioning he allegedly fled the area, only to return a week later to collect his two small children and wife.

He was arrested without incident Sept. 16 at a Susanville, Calif., motel.

A grand jury indicted him on the charges Oct. 9.

He remains in the Washoe County Jail on $250,000 cash-only bail.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.