Camp Fires Teen Counselor Accused of Sexually Abusing 6-year-old Campers

By James Kleimann
NJ.com
August 15, 2014

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/08/youth_camp_has_fired_teen_counselor_accused_of_sexually_abusing_6-year-old_campers.html

A Jewish youth day camp has "instituted additional safeguards" and fired a 16-year-old camp counselor charged with sexually abusing three young campers, its president and CEO said following the arrest.

Officials at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades learned that charges were filed against a 16-year-old camp counselor on Thursday, president Tina Guberman and CEO Avi Lewinson said in a joint press statement.

"This counselor, who is a minor, was immediately suspended by the camp upon learning of the alleged incident," the statement read. "We continue to cooperate fully with the local authorities in their investigation."

Prosecutors said the counselor, of Teaneck, sexually touched three campers under his supervision at the Neil Klatskin Day Camp. Another camp employee claims to have directly witnessed inappropriate touching, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

The accused was released to the custody of his parents and must wear an electronic monitoring device. He's charged with three counts each of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.

In a statement to the press, Kaplen JCC officials said the "safety and security of all of our children is of primary concern. In addition to the rigorous safety protocols and procedures that were already in place, we have instituted additional safeguards to ensure that we continue to meet the highest standards. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved and their families."

Kaplen JCC officials did not describe what the current safety protocols were, nor the additional safeguards.

Camp officials did not respond to direct questions.

The last day of the 2014 session at the Neil Klatsin Day Camp is Friday.