California Parents in Custody Over Alleged Sexual Abuse of Their Children

California Parents from Riverside were arrested after they allegedly sexually abused their children, which according to the police continued for "several years."

The Riverside Police Department confirmed the information to Fox 11 on Wednesday, saying that the victims of the parents were their teenage daughter and son.

The authorities identified the California parents as Joshua Hawkins, 34 years old; and Sabrina Hawkins, 30 years old, who is also the children's stepmother, per KTLA.

The California parents were taken by the authorities on different dates. According to CBS Los Angeles, the father was arrested last November, while the stepmother on February 3 this year.

California Children Subjects of Sexual Abuse by Parents

It was unclear how the information on sexual abuse done by the Hawkins reached the Riverside Police Department. However, reports highlighted that the California parents were active in their community.

Authorities revealed that the parents were also helping in the school activities in and around the Orangecrest neighborhood.

Joshua Hawkins was reportedly slammed with multiple charges, including multiple counts of lewd acts with a child under 14 with force, child cruelty, and acting in concert, aiding or betting sexual assault with a victim under 14.

The father reportedly sexually abused his teenage daughter.

In addition, the stepmother of the children was charged with aggravated sexual assault and lewd acts on a minor, continuois sexual abuse, and child cruelty. The 30-year-old was also hit with acting in concert, aiding or abetting in sexual assault with a victim under 14.

The stepmother was reported to sexually abuse the brother of the teenage girl.

The California parents were booked in the Robert Presley Detention and both are also held on a $2 million bail.

Authorities did not mention the possible sentences they might face when found guilty.

Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that both children are now safe and are currently under the care of their families. However, authorities did not mention where the children are currently staying, as well as their condition after the incident.

Child Sexual Abuse

The two children were among the victims of child sexual abuse across the United States.

According to Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), Child Protection Services recorded over 57,000 children that are known victims of sexual abuse across the United States.

The organization also mentioned that 82 percent of that number were females under the age of 18.

However, in California, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention noted that child on child sexual abuse is also evident in the state, per Wallin and Kallich law corporation.

According to the firm, juveniles account for more than 35.6 percent of those known by law enforcement to have committed sexual abuse against other minors.

The firms also added that child-on-child sexual abuse often occurs in the home accounting for 68 percent, whereas adult sex offenses account for 80 percent.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Sexual Abuse in the Family - From Fight Child Abuse