Maryland

Gaithersburg Day Care Worker Charged With Sexual Abuse of Child

A Montgomery County daycare worker has been charged after police say he sexually abused a 3-year-old girl at a day care in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Montgomery County Police say Raul Teroy Tuban, 56, worked as a cook and driver at a KinderCare Learning Center at 18000 Sioux Lane. Police say the victim was napping at the day care on Oct. 22, 2016, when she awoke to find Tuban touching her inappropriately.

The little girl reported the abuse to a family member later that day, police said. Detectives were notified of the allegations Nov. 22, 2016.

Police said Tuban gave inconsistent statements during a police interview, and detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest "[a]fter a lengthy and complex investigation."

Tuban was arrested at his Montgomery Village home July 14.

He is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual offense against a juvenile, Montgomery County Police said Friday. He was released on a $25,000 bond. 

Police are trying to determine if there were any other victims, they said.

Parents of children who attend or attended the KinderCare location in Gaithersburg should talk to their children about their interactions with Tuban, police said. Parents should call detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.

"I'm nauseas. It makes me sick to my stomach," said Jennifer Cunningham, whose daughter goes to KinderCare. "I would not want my daughter in a situation that anybody can prey upon her."

News4 spoke with two other parents who did not want to be identified, but said they do not believe the allegations against Tuban and said he is a "nice guy."

KinderCare released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"Our goal is always to do what's best for the children in our care and to provide every child with a caring, nurturing place to learn and grow. We are fully committed to maintaining a safe and caring environment for our children.

"We take all concerns about our teachers and staff seriously and follow a very specific protocol anytime an allegation is raised. It has always been our practice, including in instance, to report any allegations concerning our staff to state licensing and local police and to cooperate with state agencies as they investigate allegations.

"When we learned of the allegations against Mr. Tuban, he was immediately place on administrative leave. All of our teachers must pass a state and national background check during their hiring process. If those checks reveal any reason to be concerned about an employee's behavior toward children, we have protocol we follow."

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