Seaside PD investigates inappropriate touching at preschool

The Seaside Police Department is investigating claims that a preschool employee inappropriately touched a child at Tiny Tots University.

Investigators would not release the name of the employee but said the employee has been removed from the preschool.

Seaside PD has conducted an investigation and shared that information with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office said the child is four years old and the complaint was made recently.

A letter was sent home to parents and said, “I wanted to make you aware of this allegation and assure you that the City’s first priority is for the safety and security of all children and adults that participate in the City’s recreational programs.”

Tiny Tots University is a pre-school program of the City of Seaside Recreation Department. It is housed at the Oldemeyer Center and currently enrolls 40 children, ages 3 to 5-years-old.

We spoke to parents as they picked up their children on Thurday afternoon.

“It was definitely kind of a shock, really kind of disconcerting you know, you never really expect that to happen, where you live and so close to your family,” Amanda French said. “It leaves you a little unsettled but they say they’re investigating it and I guess nothing really is for certain until they get to the bottom of it.”

Seaside Police said all employees who interact with children in the Tiny Tots University program clear background checks required by California statute.

Any and all questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office at 831-755-5070.