A Democratic lawmaker in the California legislature was arrested earlier this week for willful cruelty to a child, prompting immediate calls from local Republicans for his resignation.
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, who represents Fresno County, was arrested after teachers at a child's school called Child Protective Services after noticing injuries. Police say there was enough evidence to charge Arambula with the misdemeanor crime, according to local ABC 30.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer tells Action News that the arrest came after Child Protective Services was called out to Dailey Elementary Charter School in Central Fresno on Monday afternoon after a child was found to have an injury.
After interviewing the child, Child Protective Services asked the Fresno Police Department to come to the campus. After seeing the evidence of the child's injuries and reviewing the child's statement, police determined that Joaquin Arambula was responsible for the injury.
Chief Dyer says that based on the evidence and the statement of the child, that the incident occurred at about 8:30 pm on Sunday.
Police called the Arambula home and reached Joaquin's wife, who came to the school. Joaquin also came to the school later with an attorney.
Dyer, the police chief, said Arambula was told by his lawyer not to cooperate with police by providing a statement.
California Republicans immediately called for Arambula to resign.
"California State Assembly Speaker, Anthony Rendon, should ask for Joaquin Arambula’s resignation due to the egregious nature of these charges," said Fred Vanderhoof, the chairman of the Republican Party of Fresno County. "The Fresno County Republican Party commends the Fresno City Police Department and Child Protective Services for investigating this crime.."