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Man Charged With Assaulting 11-Year-Old Girl At DCR Pool Pleads Not Guilty

WALTHAM (CBS) -- A Watertown man charged with assaulting an 11-year-old girl at a Department of Conservation and Recreation swimming pool in Waltham pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Monday.

Victor Lopez, 37, is facing charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

The alleged assault occurred at 4:22 p.m. at Connors Memorial Swimming Pool on Saturday.

Investigators say Lopez inappropriately touched the girl while in the deep section of the pool. WBZ-TV's Susie Steimle reports the girl was with her brother and cousin when the alleged assault happened.

Multiple witnesses say Lopez groped the girl and then swam away. He was still at the pool when police arrived.

In Waltham District Court, Lopez, through an interpreter, said he would never touch a child.

The Guatemalan father of five children added that maybe it was a mistake.

Outside of court, the alleged victim's mother told WBZ "It really is disgusting, and I'm so glad my daughter was able to now explain what happened to her and get it out there for other children to make sure that they can explain what happened, if it ever happened to them."

Lopez is being held on $3,000 bail. He must stay away from public pools, the alleged victim and not be alone with children.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal Reports:

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