TERRE HAUTE —
An allegation of an attempted sexual assault has a Terre Haute mother questioning the procedures at a city-operated summer day camp.
The mother of a 6-year-old boy who attended the camp, but has now been withdrawn, told the Tribune-Star on Friday that she believes the Deming Park Day Camp has negligent supervision, violates children’s privacy and endangers children.
“I want people to understand the risk that’s being taken with their kids,” she said.
The day camp is operated by the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department. The Tribune-Star on Friday attempted to contact parks department Director Eddie Bird, who is on vacation out of state, as well as the recreation director, Bruce Rosselli, who did not respond to a request for an interview.
The Tribune-Star was able to reach Gordon Bryan, a member of the city park board.
Bryan told the Tribune-Star on Friday that he was unaware of the alleged June 8 incident in the day camp program, but said the park board will meet next week and that the incident likely will be discussed then.
“We won’t let it pass without taking action as deemed appropriate,” Bryan said.
The woman, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of her child, said the alleged attempted sexual assault of her son by an older day camp child occurred around 2 p.m. June 8 in a changing area at the Deming Park pool. She said the incident occurred when her son was attempting to change out of his swim suit in a room where all male members of the day camp program were required to change clothes together. Her son was able to leave the changing room and notify counselors, she said, and she was notified of the incident when she picked up her son that afternoon.
Information provided by the park program stated that parents would be notified immediately if a concern arose for a child, she said, so she is concerned that the program employees waited until she arrived to tell her about the incident. She also contends that the parents of the older boy, likewise, were not notified of the incident before picking up their son.
City police were called to the scene to investigate the incident. THPD Assistant Chief Shawn Keen confirmed that the case has been assigned to the department’s juvenile division.
Child Protective Services has also gotten involved in the investigation. The mother said a case worker came to inspect her home because of the allegation.
The mother said she is concerned because young children such as her son are changing clothes in the same room as much older children, without supervision. The program literature states that it accepts children ages 5 to 12.
The mother said her son participated in the same day camp program last summer and had a good time. But the program was operated differently last year, she claims, adding that she was shocked to find that children from the day camp are escorted to Dobbs Nature Park during part of the day.
“I never signed a permission slip that my child could leave Deming Park and be taken to another place,” she said, displaying paperwork she said was given to her by the day camp program. “I thought he would be there at the park until I came to pick him up.”
She said she learned about the hikes to the other park after she saw a group of children there last week who called out greetings to her son, and he told her they were his friends from day camp.
The mother said she has raised her concerns to Rosselli, as well as to Mayor Duke Bennett.
She also acknowledged that she has consulted with an attorney about the incident.
“It’s not about money,” she said. “I want safety for kids — for all kids. I don’t want to hear about some other kid being victimized because I didn’t say anything.”
A telephoned request for comment was also made to the city legal department on Friday afternoon, but no response was received as of 4:30 p.m.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
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