Site last updated: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Fondling case set for trial

Man, 68, accused of child molestation

A Butler man accused of molesting three young girls at a day care center his wife operated at their Oakland Township home in 2010 and 2011 will be heading to trial after a hearing in Butler County Court on Tuesday.

Roger L. Young, 68, will proceed to trial in September following a status conference before county Judge William Shaffer on three felony counts of corruption of minors and three counts of misdemeanor indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old. The charges were filed in 2014.

Shaffer scheduled jury selection for Sept. 14, with trial commencing on Sept. 18. He told the attorneys for both sides that he does not anticipate granting any further continuances in the case.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Bosco informed the court during the proceeding that a plea deal had been offered, but was not accepted, sending the case to trial.

Young was charged by state police after allegations that he fondled three young children, ages 9, 3 and 4, at the Patti Cake Child Care Center on Route 68.

Police began investigating after a 9-year-old girl told a relative in 2011 that Young had fondled her while she was seated on his lap in a rocking chair.

The county Children and Youth Services agency was notified of the allegations and interviewed the children.

Following a search warrant that obtained video surveillance from the center, police said the footage showed Young molesting at least two girls around November 2010.

Police said the video shows Young touching the girls' private parts through their clothing and having them touch his genitals. The clips also show Young lifting up the shirt of one of the children to expose her chest and kissing at least one of the girls on the face, police said.

Young remains free on $50,000 unsecured bail, pending trial.

Following the filing of charges, Young was banned from the facility until the case was resolved. According to the state Department of Human Services, which regulates child care centers, the facility has since closed. The facility had been licensed since 2009, according to previous reports.

Michael Zunder, Young's attorney, did not return a call for comment.

More in Local News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS