CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - A family says a mother-daughter spa day turned into a nightmare after an incident at a South Bay massage therapy business.
The family filed a lawsuit against Massage Eden in Chula Vista Wednesday, accusing one of its massage therapists of molesting a 13-year-old girl on a massage table last November.
The girl's mother said her two daughters -- ages 11 and 13 -- were each supposed to have female massage therapists, but once they were in their rooms, the 13-year-old's female therapist was switched out for a man.
The mother said the switch was made without her consent.
The lawsuit alleges the 13-year-old girl got up and ran out of the room when the male therapist began to molest her.
"You kind of think you do everything you need to protect your family, and it kind of comes as a big gut punch," the mother told 10News.
Police arrested 45-year-old Xaiowen Lei on the spot and charged him with lewd acts with a child under 14.
The family's attorney Jessica Pride said Lei was not a licensed massage therapist and should have never been allowed to work.
The owner of the business on Otay Lakes Road told 10News Lei was a massage therapy student working as part of his education.
Lei is out on bail and due back in court March 23.
