Molestation Inquiry Continues at Base

As investigators probe further into a molestation allegation at Point Mugu Child Development Center, day-care providers Monday prepared for the return today of scores of preschool children.

Base officials set up a 40-member task force that spent the last three days interviewing children to determine if there was any truth to the allegation of abuse, and improving security at the base’s day-care center.

“You want to get as much information as you can, as quickly as you can,” Point Mugu spokesman Alan Alpers said. “You need a lot of people to do that.”

An allegation of sexual abuse surfaced last week, after Navy officials informed a roomful of parents that a 3- or 4-year-old child complained of sexual molestation and one of the center’s employees was placed on paid leave.

The unidentified child told his or her parents March 21 about allegedly being sexually abused by a day-care center teacher, Alpers said.

Officials launched the investigation immediately, suspending the suspect and interviewing other children and parents. But the allegation was not publicized until after the emotion-filled parents meeting last Thursday night.

The center was closed Friday and Monday to allow day-care workers a chance to review child-safety standards and security measures at the facility.

“The workers are pretty upset,” Alpers said. “There’s some sense of betrayal and there’s also concern for the children.”

Alpers and other government officials are not discussing details of the allegation, saying only that the matter is under full investigation.

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A team of 40 child psychologists and investigators working under the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office has set up shop at Point Mugu, interviewing parents, teachers and children, Alpers said.

FBI Special Agent Gary Auer declined to confirm or deny the investigation. He said his office would only comment on the case if an arrest is made or an indictment handed down.

“Until that time there will be no comment,” Auer said.

Point Mugu’s Child Development Center provides day care for about 85 children of enlisted and civilian employees of the Point Mugu Navy base.

Child care was provided at Navy expense at off-base sites Friday and Monday, Alpers said.

While most of the students, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, are expected to return to the center this morning, some parents are reluctant to entrust the staff with their kids, according to one day-care provider.

“Some parents have opted not to return,” said the employee, who asked to remain anonymous. “But for the most part, they have been supportive.”

The parents’ “overall feeling is that the caregiver has been removed and they’re comfortable bringing their children back,” the worker said. “But there have been some exceptions.”

Security at the spacious center has been improved since the child reported the alleged abuse.

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As is happening in other day-care centers to protect children and employees, video cameras were installed at the center three weeks ago, Alpers said. But the cameras were not operating until the day following the allegation, he said.

During the past few days, workers reviewed standards on proper child-care management and ways to spot potential signs of trouble among children.

“There’s still a large degree of confidence here,” Alpers said. “It’s a nice facility and we have well-trained people.”