Wyn Delano
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Police are investigating allegations of child sexual abuse at the Washington Hebrew Congregation’s Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center. In an August 19th letter to parents the Congregation’s President, Head of Schools, and Senior Rabbi wrote that they became aware of the allegations on August 15th and “immediately placed the employee on administrative leave and contacted child protective services and law enforcement.”
The Metropolitan Police Department declined to comment citing an “active investigation.”
The August 19th letter did not disclose the name of the suspect, citing a request from the Metropolitan Police Department to do so. The Washington Hebrew Congregation has also launched their own independent investigation into the allegations. “We want to respect the privacy of all involved and treat this matter with discretion,” the letter continues, “the information we can share at this time is limited, and we appreciate that can be challenging. However, it is important to remember that any rumors or speculation could diminish the ability to investigate this matter and protect our community.”
In response to the investigation, the community held an information meeting on August 23rd that attempted to provide “information and comfort” to parents and community members. They added in a follow up letter on August 24th that “in many ways, the confluence of these two is impossible given the circumstances.”
That August 24th follow-up letter also included counseling resources and a list of operational changes for the Early Childhood Center. These changes include making sure that “each child staying for before – and/or after-care is assigned to a particular classroom and teacher,” sharing those assignments with parents so that “they will know who is responsible for their child at all times.”
Additionally, the center will add staff to ensure that “all children are supervised by at least two teachers at all times” and that a receptionist position will be created to “assist parents, teachers, and students in the hallways as well as to monitor teacher movement outside of the classroom.”
These changes are already in effect for the new school year, which began yesterday.
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