Police investigate child sex allegation at Boonshoft

Dayton police are investigating an allegation of gross sexual imposition involving a child at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery earlier this month.

Dayton Police confirm that officers served a search warrant Friday for an ongoing investigation.

The allegation was made by a 4-year-old, who told his mother the incident occurred on Oct. 2.

It led to the placement of a museum employee on administrative leave, said museum spokeswoman Donna Vella.

“An allegation has recently been made regarding an employee of the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery,” Vella said in a prepared statement. “While we are not at liberty to share specific details or comment on an ongoing investigation, the museum administration immediately placed the individual in question on administrative leave and is cooperating fully with authorities.”

She added: “As always, our goal is to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all visitors and students. We cannot speculate or comment further on this situation.”

According to a Dayton police report, the 4-year-old said the incident occurred at the museum and it was reported to police by the child’s mother.

The mother said that the boy attended preschool at the museum and that he said the alleged incident occurred in the men’s bathroom of the museum.

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