AUSTIN — An Albert Lea man pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegedly molesting a toddler for more than 18 months at his former apartment in Austin.

Carlos Francisco Fernandez, 66, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13 years old.

According to a court complaint, Fernandez allegedly molested the toddler between March 2012 and November 2013 when family members would drop the victim off at Fernandez’s apartment.

Once the parents found out, they stopped letting the victim visit Fernandez and later tried to confront him. Though Fernandez left the country for a period of time, he allegedly admitted to molesting the victim to the victim’s mother.

Fernandez’s next court appearance is in July.