Trial Against Child Care Company Set To Begin
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- The civil trial against one of the largest operators of child care centers in the world is set to start Monday.
Bright Horizons Family Solutions is being accused of allowing a now former preschool teacher to remain with the company despite claims of sexual abuse.
According to the lawsuit, Olakunle Omomowo was a music teacher at Discovery Preschool in Coconut Creek when he was accused of inappropriately touching his students.
In March 2013, the lawsuit alleges parents warned the company that Omomowo was reportedly playing tickling games with the children - possibly grooming them for sexual abuse.
The company did not report the allegations to authorities nor did they investigate it, according to the lawsuit.
In May 2013, a 4-year old girl came forward claiming Omomowo had sexually abused her during music class. Multiple victims reportedly came forward as well, the lawsuit claims.
A month later,Omomowo was arrested and charged with four counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on victims less than twelve years old.
Following his arrest, Discovery Preschool issued a statement which read, in part, "We immediately notified the appropriate authorities as well as the families we serve as soon as the concerns were brought to our attention. "
Defense has said they have statements from other children who said Omomowo had touched them, or given them back rubs, that didn't constitute molestation.
At least two lawsuits have been filed against the former music teacher. The trial for one of those lawsuits was set to begin at 10 a.m.