With a handful of parents looking on, the 19-year-old former classroom aide accused of molesting four preschoolers at Park Hill Children’s Center pleaded not guilty Monday in Denver District Court.
Ben Janicki faces counts of sex assault on a child and sex assault on a child from a person in a position of trust — Class 4 and Class 3 felonies, respectively — for each of the four children he is accused of molesting last summer.
The mother of one of the preschoolers said she and her husband are hoping the charges can be resolved without a trial, which could require the young victims to testify in court.
Speaking after Janicki’s arraignment, the mother said she thought more victims could be added to the case against Janicki. She asked that her name be withheld to protect the identity of her child, who is an alleged victim in the case.
“It seems there are new cases they’re trying to roll into this one,” she said. “It breaks your heart because you know there are other kids, and you want closure.”
Prosecutor Shannon O’Connor said she couldn’t confirm whether charges would be filed on behalf of additional victims. Jessica Fender, The Denver Post
