Children's Book Author Faced With Lewd Acts Felony Chages

The Orange County District Attorney's office will be charging children's book author Michael William Snyder with sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl to whom he is related.

Snyder, 43, of San Clemente faces four felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, and could face 14 years in prison if convicted. 

Snyder, , is out on $100,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned April 8 at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. The time and department are to be determined.

Between June 2010 and March 2011, Snyder is accused of sexually assaulting the girl in his San Clemente home.

"He is accused of rubbing her chest and stomach under her shirt on several occasions with a sexual intent and instructing her not to tell anyone," according to a release from the district attorney's office. "He is accused of having the victim sit on his lap and putting his hands up her shirt with the intent to sexually arouse himself or the child."

The child's mother became suspicious when the 12-year-old did not want to be left alone with Snyder, the release states. The child then told her mother about the alleged abuse, and the mother reported it to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, who investigated the case.

Snyder is a children’s book author who travels to and speaks at elementary schools. He is also contracted with the California Department of Developmental Services to do in-home visits with disabled children in Orange County.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is asked to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at 714-347-8794.