Man denies baby-sitter rape

A Dayton man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he sexually assaulted a Carson City girl he met through a baby-sitting advertisement.

A trial date of July 26 has been set for Michael Botelho, 42, who is charged with three counts of sexual assault in the Aug. 7 rape of the 14-year-old girl.

According to police reports, Botelho allegedly contacted the girl after she placed a classified ad offering baby-sitting services in a free-distribution paper.

Under the ruse that he needed a sitter for his children, Botelho picked up the girl on Aug. 6 at her home and drove her to Washoe Lake, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her for nearly an hour, said Sgt. Dave Nikoley of the Washoe County Sheriff's Department.

Botelho then drove the girl back to her neighborhood, dropped her off and warned her to keep quiet.

She immediately reported the incident.

When Botelho allegedly discovered he was wanted for questioning he fled the area, only to return a week later to collect his two small children and wife.

He was arrested without incident Sept. 16 at a Susanville, Calif., motel.

A grand jury indicted him on the charges Oct. 9.

He remains in the Washoe County Jail on $250,000 cash-only bail.