Camp Counselor, 16, Sexually Abused Three Campers, Bergen Prosecutor Says

By James Kleimann
NJ.com
August 14, 2014

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/08/camp_counselor_16_sexually_assaulted_multiple_6-year-old_campers_bergen_prosecutor_says.html

A 16-year-old counselor at the Neil Klatsin Day Camp was arrested Tuesday on charges he sexually touched a trio of 6-year-old male campers under his supervision.

Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said the 16-year-old counselor from Teaneck, who has not been identified due to his age, was charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was released to his parents' custody and is required to wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle, Molinelli said.

The prosecutor's office initiated an investigation in late July after supervisors of the day camp, which is run by the Kaplen Jewish Community Center on the Palisades, told Tenafly police that another employee at the Neil Klatskin Day Camp came forward with the allegations, Molinelli said.

That employee directly witnessed the counselor touching a boy inappropriately, the prosecutor told NJ.com.

"Every child under the care of the juvenile actor was brought to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and forensically interviewed by detectives from the Special Victims Unit," Molinelli said in a statement Thursday. "During those interviews, it was determined that three of the children made disclosures involving inappropriate sexual touching. The ensuing investigation resulted in the arrest of the juvenile actor on August 12, 2014."

Camp officials notified the parents of campers as to the allegations, Molinelli said.

Camp officials refused to comment and directed all press inquiries to Avi Lewinson, the CEO of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. Lewinson did not immediately return calls seeking comment Thursday afternoon.

Molinelli said he was not aware of any other alleged victims, but noted the investigation remains active.