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Summer Camp Owner Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child

The owner of a Charlotte summer camp has been accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl while she attended his camp in the summer of 2017. 

CMPD arrested 52-year-old Ricardo Mata Friday. Police charged Mata with indecent liberties with a minor – lewd and lascivious. He is in custody at the Mecklenburg County jail.

Police said in a statement that the parents of the victim notified them on Feb. 12 and accused Mata of sexually assaulting their daughter while she attended the summer camp he operates.

The camp Mata operates is called “PlaySpanish” and he runs it with his wife, Carmela Tondo-Mata. The program employs native speakers to teach preschoolers Spanish language and culture. The program started 20 years ago and operates out of 5 Charlotte-area churches during the summers, according to the PlaySpanish website. 

The investigation was conducted by the CMPD’s Crimes Against Children Unit and is ongoing.

Jessa O’Connor was an assistant digital news editor and Sunday reporter for WFAE.