Bergen Man Sexually Abused Kids For 14 Years: Prosecutor

A Bergen County man sexually abused four children, including three over the course of 14 years, in Palisades Park, authorities announced Friday.

Manuel Gonzalez, 38, of Rochelle Park, was arrested Friday on several sexual assault charges, said acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo.

Gonzalez was arrested following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Palisades Park Police Department.

Palisades Park police Friday received information that Gonzalez engaged in "inappropriate sexual conduct" with a child younger than 13, Calo said.

Police and the prosecutor's office Special Victims Unit investigated and identified three other victims Gonzalez previously sexually abused from 2004 through 2018, Calo said. The abuse involved victims younger than 13. All the reported abuse occurred in Palisades Park.

Gonzalez was charged with two counts each of first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Gonzalez was lodged in the Bergen County Jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon, Calo said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com