The ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against a former YMCA child care worker has not uncovered any victims beyond the four identified by investigators in the first couple weeks since the suspect’s arrest, according to a YMCA official.
Nicolas Lhermine, 20 of Morgan Hill, was arrested by Morgan Hill police on suspicion of molesting a 6-year-old girl in his care at a YMCA child care facility at Paradise Valley Elementary School in west Morgan Hill.
He is also accused of possession of child pornography, as police said they found several pictures of an unclothed 17-year-old girl on his mobile phone and computer. That victim is not associated with the YMCA.
After the arrest and initial investigation, police and authorities with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office found evidence that Lhermine had victimized two other children under his care at the YMCA facility, where he worked as a child care aide, according to police.
One of those victims is a 5-year-old girl that Lhermine allegedly took sexual pictures of while she was attending the YMCA program, and the other is a 7-year-old girl who revealed Lhermine sexually assaulted her, according to authorities.
Lhermine remains in custody at Santa Clara County Jail, and he has been charged by the DA with oral copulation on a child younger than 10, lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 12, possession of child pornography and production of child pornography.
Authorities worried days after Lhermine’s arrest that many more victims might come forward, as Lhermine worked for the YMCA – often around small children – for four years. But so far this week, the victim count remains at four, according to YMCA Silicon Valley Executive Director Elizabeth Jordan.
“We have not been notified (by police) that there have been any additional victims,” Jordan said.
Lhermine’s next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 at South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill. There is also a protective order in place forbidding him to contact any of his alleged victims.
“We’re hoping it stays quiet until” Sept. 17, Jordan said.
