Watch CBS News

Man Concerned Child Predator Is Using His Name To Solicit Children From Daycare

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The mystery over a child predator who is soliciting a daycare for access to its children deepens as the man who lives where the messages allegedly originated says they didn't come from him.

Daycare owner Jessica Hayes emailed CBS13 about the disturbing messages, saying police weren't giving her much help.

Khaled Saleh says he feels terrible about the fear the messages have created for Hayes, but he is adamant he is the victim of someone he knows being vindictive and going way too far.

RELATED: Anonymous Emails From Suspected Child Predator Target Sacramento Daycare

child

Saleh says he didn't write the letter that showed up at Hayes' daycare, and that the email address used to harass and threaten her is not his.

The address on the emails comes from a Yahoo email account with a shortened version of his name, but he says he only uses Gmail.

CBS13 spoke with Hayes, who said a simple business inquiry took a terrifying turn into solicitation and extortion.

"It's terrifying too," she said. "I don't know if he's watching me or following me I have no idea."

In a series of chilling emails Hayes received, the writer tells her, "I actually need your help to make kids available to me, and I can pay you a lot of money."

"I told him I was filing a police report which I did and not contact me again. And then he threatened me," she said.

Another email said, "Be smart; you don't want to be hurt."

Saleh believes he knows who is behind the disturbing messages and says he's being set up.

I feel very sorry about this woman and I hope they catch the person who sent those emails," he said.

Hayes has since filed a police report and investigators say they're looking into the matter.

Saleh fears what's next for him and his family.

"I'm worried about my safety, the safety of my daughter, the safety of my wife. Yes, of course," he said.

Hayes is still understandably concerned about how it could impact her business, and says she's just hopeful police can bring some kind of peaceful resolution.

Saleh says he welcomes an interview with police anytime they want to talk.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.