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	Keller Man Accused of Sexual Abuse Turns Himself in Family Warns against 'Rush to Judgment' in Sexual Assault Case By Wendy Hundley The Dallas Morning News October 13, 2007 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/crime/ stories/DN-mrdonfolo_13met.ART.West.Edition1.42603df.html The owner of a popular Keller children's attraction who is under investigation for child molestation surrendered to Tarrant County authorities late Friday afternoon. Clinton Don Simpson, a minister and the owner of Mr. Don's Whistlestop, turned himself in to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. His bail was set at $150,000. Neither Mr. Simpson nor his Fort Worth attorney, Lisa Mullen, could be reached for comment Friday. On Thursday, however, Ms. Mullen said that her client was innocent and his family cautioned residents not to "rush to judgment" about Mr. Simpson. About 200 concerned parents have contacted the Keller Police Department since Monday when word reached the community that Mr. Simpson was the target of a police investigation, authorities said. Police officials will talk to parents to assess whether their children should be interviewed by specialists with the Tarrant County district attorney's Crimes Against Children Unit. "The parents are concerned because they've been to the location," said Lt. Brenda Slovak, referring to Mr. Don's Whistlestop, a decade-old business that provides rides for children on a miniature train that Mr. Simpson constructed on his property. Authorities have asked parents who believe that their child may have been touched inappropriately to contact police rather than try to question the child themselves. They said that doing so could jeopardize any potential criminal case. Mr. Simpson, 65, became the target of a police investigation after a birthday party for preschool children was held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at his business. According to the arrest affidavit, one child who attended the party was asked if she had a good time riding the train, and she said no. "The victim said the man on the train touched her bottom [the victim calls all her private parts bottom]," the document stated. The victim, who police have said is 3 years old, received an examination from Cook Children's Medical Center. The examiner "had an impression of sexual abuse, with no signs of genital or oral trauma," according to the police affidavit. The report also stated that Child Protective Services interviewed the victim, who told or demonstrated signs of sexual abuse. Mr. Simpson came to the police station on Monday. During an interview with police, he said that he had fondled female children "on multiple occasions" as they rode his train, according to the police report. Mr. Simpson's family and Ms. Mullen say the confession was coerced and he suffered an emotional breakdown as a result of threats from police. He was taken earlier this week to John Peter Smith Hospital and was treated for mental exhaustion after the interview, Ms. Mullen said. He remained there until turning himself in just before 5 p.m. Friday. Ms. Mullen said her client, who is also a preacher at Haslet Church of Christ, is an upstanding person and is innocent of the charges. whundley@dallasnews.com
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