Crime & Safety

YMCA Cleared in Child Abuse Case

Interviews, review of YMCA video indicate no abuse occurred.

The Avon Police Department has closed an investigation into an allegation of a 2-year-old being inappropriately touched while at the Avon French Creek YMCA last month.

The investigation started when the girl told her mother she had been fondled at the Avon YMCA by a man in a black hat. The incident allegedly happened on Jan. 15.

Both Avon Police, the French Creek YMCA and Child Protective Services investigated. 

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"During this investigation our agency spoke to the alleged victim and her family as well as all employees of the YMCA who were working in the Child Watch area," a press release from Avon Police Chief Richard Bosley said. "Other parents and members of the YMCA who may have been present at the YMCA at the time the incident was alleged to have occurred were also interviewed.

"Our agency reviewed medical reports, the safety procedures in place by the YMCA and over 20 hours of video. Based upon the information which was gathered our agency could find no evidence of any abuse at the YMCA or any other location."

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Last month YMCA personnel also reviewed tapes and saw no evidence to support the allegation.

“We’re assisting both the Avon Police and Child Protective Services and doing everything possible to help investigate the allege abuse," Rick Haase, the Vice President of Marketing for the Greater Cleveland YMCA said on Jan. 16." Haase was not available for comment at the time of publication. 

The press release said the Avon Police Department was grateful to the family for "bringing their concerns forward so that the matter could be thoroughly investigated."

"However at this time we find no basis in the allegation," the release said. "We are also grateful to the YMCA and their staff for their cooperation throughout the investigation."


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