The Region - News from Jan. 3, 1986

Peninsula Montessori Pre-School in Torrance, closed by state authorities Dec. 20 because of allegations that a former employee molested four children, will reopen Monday. Torrance Superior Court Judge Morio L. Fukuto lifted the closure order issued by the state Department of Social Services, after being assured that the employee, who had been on leave, has been terminated. Under terms of Fukuto’s order, the school will remain open until the court this spring reviews transcripts of an administrative hearing that concluded that the employee had molested four girls. School owner Claudia Krikorian is challenging the conduct and conclusions of the administrative hearing. She claims that the evidence does not support the finding that molestations took place and asserts that she was denied her right to confront witnesses, because three of the four children were permitted to testify on closed-circuit television. Torrance police investigated the molestation allegations and declined to file criminal charges against the employee.