Horror unfolded for two California parents after police say their 8-year-old daughter was molested at a school function by a person who shouldn’t even have been in the country.

Santa Ana police say Raul Martin, a suspected illegal alien, “approached the girl, sat down next to her, and began a conversation. It is alleged Martin then touched the girl inappropriately,” according to a news release.

The girl and her 10-year-old brother were momentarily apart from their parents as they parked the car during a gift/food give-a-way being held Saturday at Davis Elementary School.

An adult nearby initially thought the girl was with Martin “until she saw Martin inappropriately touch the girl.

“The adult interceded, protected the girl from further assaults, and located the girl’s parents,” according to the department.

“The fact that he would go over there to the school during a large event with lots of kids and do this is very brazen,” Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna tells the Orange County Register. “Fortunately, the lady stepped in and took control.”

Martin, a registered sex offender, allegedly fled the school but returned and was arrested. He was booked on suspicion of lewd acts on a minor under 14. He is being held without bail.

According to the police department, an “immigration hold” was placed on Martin.

That occurs only when police believe a suspect is in the country illegally. It’s unclear why the federal government would allow a registered sex offender to stay in the United States.

KTLA reports Martin lives in an apartment complex about one-tenth of a mile away from the school where the assault allegedly took place.