DadAgain

Apart from anything else I wouldnt want to be the guy who gets known as "That guy who closed down the after school care facility thanks to his hysterical paranoia". You just never know who the community would hate more and where bitterness and recriminations might kick-in.

moneypenny20

It's a strange thing to make up though, isn't it? I know kids make stuff up and tell tales that have no bearing on what has actually happened, but blowing in a mouth is an odd one if there's no basis in fact. Good luck with this one Dad, wouldn't want to be in your head at the moment, must be a nightmare.

DadAgain

I know a few of you were interested in where this was going to go. We have heard back from the company:

It seems following a thorough and discreet investigation the guy denied any wrong-doing (surprise surpise) and that is that. So theres no 'innocent explanation' f the behaviour - simply a flat denial that it, or anything like it, took place at all. We were however, reassured that there would be 'more frequent' site visits from management to monitor the situation. Pffft - like he's gonna do anything suss once management walk through the door?!

So we'll see what happens and if theres any hint of something odd going on again then I guess we'll have to re-assess the situation.

Lorna at Vicenza

How do you and your wife feel about it though?

TiddlyPom

That's a totally inadequate explanation and a totally inadequate investigation. I'd call someone higher up in the chain and make a formal complaint.
I'd also move my child from there pronto.

Bernieboy

Think i'd have to agree

oakbayseals

As a parent, I would be trusting my instinct first. I am sure you will decide on what best to do in such an emotive situation. I would not have found this guy's employers provided an adequate nor reassuring explanation on the matter to worried parents of such young children and clearly with that at the back of any parent's mind, it would be hard to stay unworried.
I too cannot think of any rational explanation to explain this carry on which could have given some kind of justification for his actions. He is a grown up man hopefully trained to follow a right code of conduct expected of any childcare worker. I realise by denyig any wrongdoing, he absolves himself. It will not harm asking the process of their "investigation" and whether other children and colleagues were asked to comment on this guy for them to reach their conclusion. It is always easier for us to comment from a distance but I have no doubt both your wife and you remain unconvinced at this moment in time. Best wishes and if your peace of mind is not there when your daughter is in care, I would listen to her first.

DadAgain

Oddly enough I'm not too concerned about my daughter. Her behaviour so far suggests that she's self-assured and confident enough to not become a 'victim' and is probably vocal enough for the guy to not attempt anything suss with her again (particularly now that presumably he knows *somebody* has reported something).

The concern is more for other kids, who might not be so confident and speak up - particularly, now any deviant behaviour on his part is likely to be driven more underground since he knows his conduct has already been 'flagged' for attention.

We'll listen carefully to reports of his behaviour when she's next there.

I do agree though the explanation from the organisation seems very very weak. I would have preferred them to come back with an apology and some bullshit excuse about a misunderstanding and poor choice of games or something - instead the flat-out denial means there are only 2 possiilities:
1) My daughter is completely dillusional or lying.
2) The guy knows (and knew all along) that what he was doing was wrong and is covering up. <-- This is the most worrying possibility

TiddlyPom

Whilst you know your own daughter, if the guy is suspect, he might try something else. He's a grown man, your little girl is a little girl. I see your logic but you'd blame yourself forever if he tried anything else and she went for it. And what if she's seeing things she's being taught is normal. You've heard of one incidence, what if there are more?

Next time you're there and listen carefully to reports of his behaviour, all you'll hear is how wonderful he is. If he is suspect, he'll be very clever and there's no way he'll be doing anything to raise suspicion now.

If it were me, I'd be speaking to someone else, such as DOCS or whoever keeps a watch on these companies.
The whole thing sounds completely wrong.

brissybee

Sick Creep. Breathing his sick creep germs into childrens mouths while telling little girls it's ok for someone to "blow" in their mouth. Good for this child for telling him "no". It's so sad that child molesters are attracted to educational roles. Both I and one of my children are aware of convicted paedophiles who worked in schools we attended. Fortunately we escaped harm but others weren't so lucky.

macy

Isn't it the most perfect job in the world for a paedophile to work, why work in an office where you are surrounded by adults far better to do community work with young children or work in the educational field surrounded by... young trusting children.
I would have no hesitation in getting the police involved with this, no adult working with children would seriously put themselves in this position without knowing the full implications, a statement telling me he denied it would not put my mind at rest.

spartacus

There is a third possibility. That they've listened to your concerns, have spoken to the person involved, and have taken the decision to 'manage' him out at some point in the very near future, thereby avoiding any sort of scandal which would adversely affect their business. It wouldn't surprise me if this person just 'doesn't work here anymore' in the next month or so, but in the meantime advice your daughter to be wary.

moneypenny20

I know people get their kicks in many wild and weird ways but blowing in someone's mouth? That's more than odd behaviour

itigo

I would not be satisfied with that investigation. It would be interesting to know if any other children have experienced what your daughter did. Open questioning by a qualified child protection person would find it out. As a teacher I think that any suss behaviour is a straight out the door thing and as such needs more investigating than just asking the guy - of course he's going to deny it and quite likely be believed over a child.

I would voice my concerns in writing to the head of the whole operation if it's a company, and if it's attached to the school cc the Principal in (if they are not already aware)......

Dorothy

Who said he was a child molester? He has not (as far as anyone knows) been convicted of a crime. How sad that people jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts.
Again, who said this person was a paedofile? He has not been tried or convicted of an offence as far as you know.

What exactly do you want the police to do? The child stated in passing that someone at her after school care blew in her mouth. As far as I'm aware that is not a crime under Australian law.

You people seriously need to get a grip here. Nothing has been proven or even investigated yet you have convicted this man of being a sick creep, child molester and paedofile.