Man accused of assaulting infant behind dumpster

HOUSTON -- Police have charged 33-year-old John Hector Soto with burglary, aggravated kidnapping and super aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Investigators say he took a 1-year-old child from an apartment but the actions of neighbors led to his capture.

Luis Alfredo Cornejos was on the balcony of his northwest side apartment Sunday when he heard a baby crying and went to investigate. As he looked around the dumpster he was startled by what he saw. He says he looked a man in his eyes who has now been identified by police as John Hector Soto.

Then he saw a baby girl on the mattress and a diaper that had been removed.

Luis says he ran towards the man, desperately trying to stop the heinous crime he just observed. He says he stomped on him and kicked him so he would let the naked child go.

The next day someone tipped off the child's father that Soto was the alleged abuser. The father was joined by neighbors who confronted him, holding him down for police.

The Good Samaritan says he hadn't left his apartment for two days after witnessing such an evil act. Neighbor Carmen Sanchez says she keeps her grandchildren close, sleeping in the same room with them.

Some neighbors were unaware of the disturbing crime their neighbor is now charged with. Rudy Gamez says, "She can't defend herself from a grown man to actually, I don't even want to talk it right now." And the heroic actions of other neighbors.

The family of the baby doesn't live in the apartments. They were visiting family and friends. The child was taken to Children's Hospital with injuries but is expected to recover.