PBSO: Man molested child

Suspect, age 40, blamed ‘the devil’ for his actions.

DELRAY BEACH — A Delray Beach man blames the devil for making him inappropriately touch a 3-year-old child Saturday, while the toddler sprawled out on a bed, watching videos on a cellphone, Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office records state.

The toddler’s 10-year-old sibling watched from behind a cabinet as Francisco Palacios-Pineda, 40, pulled down the child’s pants.

The 10-year-old barged into the room, saying their mother would find out about that.

Palacios-Pineda reportedly dressed the toddler as the older child pulled the little one away.

Palacios-Pineda, whom the kids called “Gallo,” first denied touching the young child.

The man, who lives in Delray Beach, then detailed his actions for sheriff ’s investigators.

He said “the devil made (me) do it,” according to sheriff ’s office records.

Palacios-Pineda was arrested Monday on a charge of molesting a minor. He is being held without bond until his next court appearance. A judge ordered that he have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Sheriff’s office records indicate Palacios-Pineda is a citizen of Mexico.

Jail records show there is a hold on his case for another law enforcement agency, although it was unclear Wednesday whether immigration authorities are involved.