VALDOSTA — A suspect in a Valdosta child sexual assault case was taken into custody Tuesday in California.

On Jan. 3, Valdosta detectives were told of a sexual assault on a child under the age of 16, a Valdosta Police Department report said.

The suspect in the case — described by authorities as a 52-year-old man who was an illegal immigrant — had assaulted a juvenile girl several times over five years, police said.

Warrants were taken out on charges of felony rape, felony aggravated child molestation, felony sexual battery of a child under 16 years of age and cruelty to children in the first degree, police said.

The suspect fled to Los Angeles; Valdosta detectives worked with Los Angeles police to locate him, who was taken into custody by LAPD officers, the statement said.

The suspect will be extradited to Valdosta to face charges.

“This is a very sad situation and my heart breaks for this child who was victimized for years, by someone she trusted. I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of our detectives, who continued to look for (the suspect) and ensure that he was taken into custody,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan.

Anyone with information about this case should contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.