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Essen Regional and District Court
Photo: Bernd Thissen/ dpa
A teacher is said to have sexually abused a child in a daycare center in Gelsenkirchen.
A spokeswoman for the Essen public prosecutor's office confirmed to the dpa news agency that a child was being investigated for a sexual offense committed by a teacher.
She did not give any further details with reference to victim protection.
The "WAZ" had previously reported on this and cited a message from the association for catholic day-care centers for children in the diocese of Essen (Kita-Zweckverband) as the source.
Accordingly, the association found out about the allegations on August 18 and released the educational specialist from her work in a daycare center in Gelsenkirchen with immediate effect.
The association, as the provider of the day-care center in question, also reported the incident.
According to the public prosecutor's office, a private individual also reported the matter to the police on Monday.
After learning of the suspicion, the family of the child concerned was immediately offered support, according to the day-care center association.
All people who are in professional contact with the educator have been informed.
Anyone who is concerned or needs advice can contact the contact persons for suspected cases of sexual abuse in the diocese of Essen.
A spokeswoman for the day-care center association did not want to comment on which day-care center it is, how old the child concerned is and what exactly the educational specialist is accused of, with regard to the child’s personal rights and in view of the investigations.
"Bodily harm, coercion, violation of the duty of care" in Neuruppin
The public prosecutor's office in Neuruppin is also investigating the suspicion of endangering the well-being of children in a day-care center.
There is an initial suspicion against the accused, but not yet sufficient suspicion, said senior public prosecutor Torsten Sauermann of the German Press Agency.
There may be physical harm to the detriment of children.
The city administration had filed a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor's office.
On Thursday evening, Mayor Nico Ruhle (SPD) announced that the daycare management had been terminated because there were serious allegations against the head and her deputy.
"It's about physical harm, coercion and violation of the duty of care." He emphasized that there were no allegations of sexual abuse in the room.
The "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung" had previously reported on children who had come home with bruises and abrasions.
According to Mayor Ruhle, several educators at the facility wrote to the city administration at the end of July.
Shortly thereafter, there was a staff meeting with the management and their deputy.
At the beginning of August, both were given notice of termination.
The "Bild" newspaper quotes a mother who reports that her child was tied to the chair when it did not want to finish its plate.
Then the food was force-fed him.
Another reports bruises on her daughter's legs.
mgo/dpa