Manhattan Shelter Security Guard Indicted for Sexual Abuse of Two Children in Upper West Side Facility

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. has indicted a 38-year-old shelter security guard, Oscar Delgado, on charges of sexually abusing two children residing in an Upper West Side shelter. Announced yesterday, Delgado faces two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and one count of Forcible Touching. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the abuse occurred in November 2024.

The prosecutor's office detailed the events leading to the arrest. On the evening of November 25, Delgado allegedly encountered an 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old brother in a shelter stairwell. He reportedly sexually assaulted the girl over her clothing. Later that same evening, Delgado is accused of approaching the victim's 10-year-old sister in the same stairwell, where he forcibly touched her. “Oscar Delgado allegedly sexually assaulted two sisters, abusing his power as a security guard whose duty was to protect the very children we allege he abused,” District Attorney Bragg said in a statement obtained by the Manhattan DA's Office. Delgado, who was a security guard at the migrant shelter located on West 88th Street and Riverside Drive for approximately two months, was apprehended wearing his uniform inside the shelter.

Both sisters disclosed the abuse to each other, and later to their mother, who informed the shelter's head of security. Law enforcement was contacted, leading to Delgado's arrest. Assistant D.A. Monique Zabihzadeh of the Child Abuse Bureau is handling the prosecution, with oversight from Assistant D.A. Heather Buchanan and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney of the Special Victims Division. The District Attorney's office has extended gratitude to the NYPD, specifically highlighting the work of Detective Heidi Morillo-Torres of the Manhattan Child Abuse Squad and Officer Brendan Tarsnane of the 24th Precinct.

The District Attorney’s announcement underscores the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation, “This charged conduct is deeply disturbing, and I hope the survivors continue to heal from these assaults. This is an ongoing investigation – please contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373.”