Prosecutors allege Abhishek Sareen abused at least three young girls at a Rancho Peñasquitos in-home daycare where he lived.
SAN DIEGO, CA — A 35-year-old San Diego man pleaded not guilty Thursday to 19 felony counts stemming from allegations that he sexually abused young girls at an in-home daycare in Rancho Peñasquitos, according to prosecutors and police.
Abhishek Sareen was ordered held without bail after entering his pleas in San Diego County court. Authorities say the case involves Lotus Learners Montessori School, a home-based child care operation where Sareen lived and where investigators say he had regular access to an unknown number of children. The investigation remains active as detectives review evidence and try to determine whether there are additional potential victims.
Prosecutors allege Sareen abused at least three young girls connected to the daycare. Two of the children have been identified as ages 4 and 6, while investigators were still working to identify a third child, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Police previously said two families had been notified and that investigators were examining whether other children may have been involved. The allegations are unproven, and Sareen has denied the charges through his not guilty pleas.
The investigation began after authorities received online reports involving suspected child sexual abuse material on Oct. 19, police said. Detectives with the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating and served search warrants at the Rancho Peñasquitos property. Sareen was arrested Monday night. Police said no children were present when he was taken into custody.
Police initially announced that Sareen had been booked on 12 felony counts involving alleged child sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse material. By Thursday’s court appearance, prosecutors had filed 19 felony charges. NBC 7 reported that prosecutors allege Sareen possessed illegal material beginning in 2024 and that the alleged abuse of children at the daycare began in 2025.
Lotus Learners Montessori operates from a residence in the 14100 block of Korrey Drive. Police said the location served young children, generally between ages 2 and 5. The school’s website describes Lotus Learners as a family-run, home-based Montessori preschool with locations in Rancho Peñasquitos, Sabre Springs and Carmel Mountain Ranch. Authorities have not alleged that abuse occurred at the other locations.
The Rancho Peñasquitos facility was licensed in 2011, according to information cited by NBC 7 from the California Department of Social Services. The facility underwent unannounced inspections in 2023 and January 2026. NBC 7 reported that the more recent inspection resulted in a citation related to missing immunization records. State regulators were notified of the criminal investigation and have authority over the daycare’s licensing status.
The Rancho Peñasquitos daycare has voluntarily closed for 30 days, NBC 7 reported. A lawyer for the family declined to provide a statement to the station. Investigators have been working to contact families whose children attended the center while they continue reviewing evidence collected during the investigation.
Prosecutors said Sareen could face more than 330 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges. That potential sentence reflects the charges now filed and is not a finding of guilt. Sareen remains in custody without bail, and his next court appearance is expected in January.
Police said the investigation is continuing as detectives work to identify the third potential victim and determine whether other children may have been affected. State child care regulators are also reviewing the facility’s status while the criminal case proceeds.
Author note: Last updated October 22, 2026.