MATHER—A childcare worker at a Mather daycare facility has been arrested on multiple felony charges after detectives say a young girl disclosed she had been sexually abused, sparking a wider investigation that authorities believe may involve additional victims.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the case began on July 28 when a mother reported concerns that her 6-year-old daughter may have been abused while attending the Mather Childcare Center at 11154 Graeton Circle. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau, working with the California Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing Division, immediately launched an investigation.
Because many of the children and families at the daycare are members of the Turkish immigrant community with limited English proficiency, investigators arranged for specialized forensic interviews in Turkish. During those interviews, information surfaced suggesting that other children, both current and former attendees of the daycare, may also be victims.
On Aug. 22, detectives arrested 26-year-old Gokhan Bagci on four counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 by force or fear, a violation of Penal Code 288(b)(1).
Bagci, a Turkish national, had previously been removed from the United States by Customs and Border Protection in November 2023 and again in September 2024. Due to his immigration history and what investigators described as a risk of flight, the Sheriff’s Office requested that he be held without bail. A judge granted that request, and Bagci remains in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
Detectives emphasized that child sexual abuse is significantly underreported and noted that immigrant communities often face additional barriers to coming forward. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to Bagci or the Mather Childcare Center to contact the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau at (916) 874-5191 or by email at childabuse@sacsheriff.com.
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