BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts foster father appeared in court Friday to face charges that he raped his 11- and 12-year-old foster daughters.

Michael Diaz, 34, of Chelsea, was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on 13 charges, including four counts of aggravated child rape.

He pleaded not guilty and was allowed to remain free on the $25,000 bail he posted after his district court arraignment in July. Diaz refused to speak when questioned by reporters outside of court after the arraignment.

“This is the most evil betrayal of trust I can imagine,’’ Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

Arraignment for Michael Diaz happening now. He’s being charged with raping his foster daughters #WCVB pic.twitter.com/UPJwd61qS1 — Matt Reed (@MattReedNews) January 10, 2020

The charges stem from his treatment of the girls in his care between 2017 and 2019, prosecutors said. He had been approved as a foster parents by the state Department of Children and Families.


Diaz told the girls to keep his actions a secret, but in June, the 12-year-old child disclosed the alleged abuse to her biological mother. She also told her mother that she was concerned about her 11-year-old foster sister, prosecutors said.

Both girls disclosed the abuse in subsequent interviews with authorities.

Diaz was arrested in July. An examination of his phone turned up photos of the 12-year-old girl undressed, authorities said.