Mother of Five-Year-Old Girl with Disabilities Abused by Ex-Care Worker Seeks “Severe Punishment”

By Barrier Free Japan

April 16 2026

TOKYO – The mother of a five-year-old girl with a disability, who was who was kidnapped and abused by a 46-year-old staff member at a facility for children with disabilities, has spoken out about the suspect’s arrest. “I cannot forgive the culprit for doing such a thing to my precious only daughter”, speaking to the Japan news programme ‘TBS Newsdig’.

The staff member at a facility has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for allegedly taking the 5-year-old girl, who was attending a facility for children with disabilities, to his apartment, performing lewd acts, and filming the incident.

The suspect, Takaya Goto (46) of Hachioji City, Tokyo, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping for lewd purposes, among other charges.

In February of the year before last, Goto is suspected of taking a 5-year-old girl, who attended the facility in Chiba Prefecture where he was then employed, to his apartment. Despite knowing she was under the age of 13, he allegedly committed lewd acts and filmed four videos using his smartphone.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Goto was in charge of transportation at the time. He reportedly took the girl to his apartment in Matsudo City, where he lived at the time, while he was in the middle of picking up or dropping off children.

During interrogation, Goto denied the charges, stating, “I don’t remember.”

Meanwhile, the girl’s mother shared the following statement through the police:

“I believe my daughter trusted the staff members. She likely thought it was just a part of the curriculum and was taken to his home without understanding what was happening. I believe the culprit was certain that because my daughter has a disability, he could get away with anything. That is why he brought her to his home, committed lewd acts, and even filmed videos. I cannot forgive the culprit for doing this to my precious only daughter; please impose a severe punishment.”

Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police conducted a search of Goto’s home and vehicle the day before yesterday (the 11th), seizing DVDs and other materials containing descriptions of sexual preferences involving children.

The case came to light after a tip was provided to the police in November of last year. However, the police are investigating further crimes as they have received information involving multiple other children in relation to Goto.

Goto holds licenses as a nursery school teacher and kindergarten teacher. He has worked with children at various facilities in the past and was currently employed at a different child-related facility at the time of his arrest.