FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

A 17-year-old female day care worker has been charged with raping children between the ages of 1 and 5 at the center where she is employed.

According to Scioto County Sheriff’s detectives the rapes took place at Toddlers Haven day care in Portsmouth, and the accused 17-year-old is related to the day care owner.

Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said detectives received a complaint from the mother of one of the victims, which led to the investigation of the day care.

From the investigation it had, according to Donini, been determined that the victims had been sexually assaulted multiple times while at the Toddlers Haven day care.

Detectives said the series of assaults occurred during the past six months.

The 17-year-old juvenile was arrested Friday and charged with four counts of felony one rape, along with seven counts of felony three gross sexual imposition.

Detective Jodi Conkel spent much of the day Friday interviewing the suspect before releasing the information in the case.

Captain David Hall talked about the next step in the case.

“She is incarcerated at the JDC (Juvenile Detention Center), and they will have a hearing yet today (Friday) or Monday in Scioto County Juvenile Court on her, and they will determine her official status,” Hall said. “And we will be talking with the prosecutor about the case.”

Hall told the Times no decision has been made as to the possibility of expanding the charges to include the day care itself.

“That is going to be presented to the prosecutor also,” Hall said. “Consideration would be solely up to (Scioto County Prosecutor) Mark Kuhn.”

Donini said if anyone has information about the case they should contact Conkel at (740) 351-1091. Donini said all information will be kept confidential.

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101 Ext. 232.