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Police: Girl reported mom's sexual assault

Posted at 12:37 PM, Mar 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-18 21:51:23-04

CARLSBAD, Calif. - A North County woman was being treated in a hospital Friday for extensive injuries suffered during a brutal sex assault allegedly carried out by her ex-boyfriend and witnessed by her young daughter.

The 11-year-old girl made a 911 call at about 2:45 p.m. Thursday to report the attack on her mother at their home in southern Carlsbad, according to police.

Officers arrived to find the assailant gone and the victim suffering from significant injuries, including a broken leg, Lt. Chris Boyd said. The woman told them a former boyfriend, 31-year-old Michael Jonathan Carabajal, had held her captive, beaten her, had forcible sex with her and choked her into unconsciousness, the lieutenant said.

Police searched the area and found Carabajal in the 7800 block of Calle Mejor. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of attempted murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, stalking, residential burglary, false imprisonment and battery causing great bodily injury.

Detectives determined that the victim's daughter had interrupted the attack after phoning home when her mother failed to pick her up after school. During the call, the woman told the girl to alert the police and stay away from their house. Instead, the child went home, after which she made an emergency call, the lieutenant said.

Carabajal was being held in San Diego Central Jail without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.