Photo: Darlene M. Monticalvo
OAKLAND — A naughty nanny is taking a time out in jail. The woman in custody has a history of running nanny scams targeting affluent families throughout the San Francisco Bay area.
The suspect was wanted for committing several felonies, including cruelty to a child by inflicting injury. Authorities described the woman as a prolific con artist.
Officers from Oakland PD tracked down the suspect in Richmond, where she was arrested on a warrant. She is identified as 60-year-old Darlene M. Monticalvo of San Pablo.
While Oakland police were seeking her for other crimes, Monticalvo allegedly stole the identity of an Emeryville resident. Using this false identity, she applied for jobs as a professional nanny in San Francisco.
While conducting a background check, two San Francisco families contacted the Emeryville resident who realized her identity had been stolen.
A nanny-hunt was launched to identify and arrest the suspect. One of the families shared security camera video images with authorities. It shows Monticalvo entering a home in San Francisco for a nanny job interview.
On May 7, Oakland officers traveled to Richmond with a warrant for Monticalvo, and they arrested her at 8:45 a.m.
Presently, Monticalvo is being housed at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. She was booked for several felonies. Her arraignment is scheduled on May 9.
Besides child cruelty, her other charges include identity theft, forgery, burglary, grand theft and receiving stolen property.
As it happens, Monticalvo has numerous prior arrests for burglaries, thefts and other crimes. Because she has prior convictions, Monticalvo faces state prison if she is convicted again.
