Babysitter Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Child Arrested In Torrance: More Victims Feared

TORRANCE, CA — A babysitter accused of sex crimes against a child has been arrested, and authorities are seeking additional victims, Torrance police announced Thursday.

Vincent Smith, 28, was arrested Dec. 9 on a count of lewd and Lascivious acts with a child under 14, the Torrance Police Department said.

Two days later, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 against Smith, police said.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred while Smith was a hired babysitter in the Los Angeles area, according to police.

Smith often used online marketplaces to advertise childcare services, wherein he connected families with caregivers. Smith is also accused of offering snowboard instruction and operating a snowboard club for children, police said.

Investigators believe Smith worked in different areas across the country, police said.

Before his December arrest, Smith had been charged with sexual assault on a child while in a position of trust in Colorado Springs, Colorado, police said.

That case is still ongoing; however, Smith posted bail and “was ordered not to leave the state of Colorado or be around children under the age of 18,” police said.

Smith, who is being held in a Los Angeles County jail without bail, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 12, jail records show.

Smith is described as standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, police said. He has brown eyes and “brown dreadlocked hair with blonde tips.”

Anyone who may have additional information about Smith is asked to contact Detective Lowery at the Torrance Police Department, Sex Crimes Division, at 310-618-5570.