Overview

• Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, 43, is accused of groping a 7-year-old girl on January 27, 2025, as she walked home from school in Houston's Woodland Heights neighborhood.
• Morales has a criminal history including convictions for indecency with children, serving seven years in prison for offenses involving victims aged 7 to 15.
• He was released into ICE custody in February 2024 but was later inexplicably released, despite his prior convictions and status as a Honduran national in the U.S. illegally.
• Authorities have filed charges of attempted indecency with a child by contact and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
• Surveillance footage from the recent incident has been released, and Houston police are urging the public to submit tips to Crimestoppers.