Man charged with sexual assault of Perth children allegedly lured from holiday care.

By Eliza Laschon and Laura Gartry

A 52-year-old man from North Perth has been charged with three counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13, WA Police have confirmed.

The man has also been charged with two counts of depravation of liberty.

A girl and a boy, aged four and five, were allegedly led away from a community hall where a school holiday care program was being run in North Perth on Tuesday morning.

Police allege the children were sexually assaulted before being left in Hyde Park, in the inner city, about 12:15pm.

A member of the public found the children, who at that stage had not been reported missing.

The man was arrested at his house late on Wednesday afternoon on an unrelated charge, although police have refused to reveal the nature of the charge.

Police raided a home on nearby Grosvenor Road Thursday as part of their inquiries.

“Grosvenor Road remains part of the investigation … that house is still related,” Police Commander Kylie Whitely said.

Forensic officers had earlier searched a nearby abandoned house on Walsley Street on Wednesday.

Police said there was no link between the two properties that had been searched.

Families of children really pleased: police

Announcing the charges, Commander Whitely told a media conference the families of the children had been informed of developments.

“I am aware that the family is really pleased and they’re working with us daily,” she said.

“It’s just comforting for us and the community to know that someone has been charged.”

Commander Whitely said it had also been a difficult time for the holiday care program.

The care program has been shut down two days early, with school holidays due to end this weekend.

“We met with them formally on Wednesday morning and advised them of the seriousness of the matter and provided them advice in relation to it,” Commander Whitely said.

“I can’t speak for them in terms of their decision-making around that, but of course it’s very traumatic for them as well.

“There are other parents there and there are other children there so there is a lot going into managing that, and the facility will be obviously subject to further inquiry once this investigation is completed.”

Department investigates care program

The Department of Community Services, which is responsible for regulating vacation care programs, is investigating.

Earlier, a member of the holiday care program’s committee, who asked not to be identified by name, said staff were “distraught, shattered and overwhelmed”.

Police have thanked members of the public for their response to the investigation.

“The response to Crime Stoppers has been overwhelming. Some of the information was of value and helped move the investigation forward,” Commander Whitely said.

The 52-year-old man remains in custody and will not be granted bail.

A court date is yet to be set.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.