Molestation Suspect Offered New Post

Despite never being charged with a crime, the suspect in a far-reaching investigation into molestation allegations at the Point Mugu child-care center will not return to the day-care facility, Navy officials said Thursday.

A base spokesman said that the suspect, who has never been identified by name or gender, was offered a similar position on the base with a similar salary and benefits.

“The U.S. attorney had insufficient evidence to seek prosecution, [but] for safety’s sake, we chose to offer the employee another job outside the Child Development Center,” said Alan Alpers, a Point Mugu spokesman.

Officials also decided not to reinstate the employee in part to satisfy any concerns from parents of the children, who are between 6 weeks and 5 years old, Alpers said.

The decision was made after an administrative review conducted by base commanders. The new position is a clerical job with a similar salary and benefits range.

The employee, who was placed on paid leave immediately after the allegations surfaced this past spring, had not decided whether to accept the offer as of late Thursday, Alpers said.

A team of 40 Navy investigators descended on the day-care center in April after the molestation allegations first surfaced.

After an intense, five-month investigation, which included interviews with all 87 children enrolled at the center, officials determined that there was not enough evidence to pursue the case.