A man who worked as a caregiver at an early childhood educational program - is accused of molesting a young boy. 23 year old Justin Harvill is employed by Head Start of Boone Bounty. He's facing charges of sexual abuse and sodomy. And police believe there are more victims.
Local 12's Angela Ingram was told by police that Harvill is a manipulator - and he used all the right words to get parents to feel comfortable with him. Officers say the case serves as a reminder to parents to be cautious with babysitters and to talk to their kids about potential abuse. "He positioned himself in the neighborhood that he had access and he seemed like a hero. He would take care of these children."
Police say Harvill would babysit for families in a Newport neighborhood. He's charged with sexually abusing one boy under 12-years- old. Officers are confident there's a second victim - and say there's a possibility of a third.
The first victim was allegedly abused between 2007 and 2008 but he only recently revealed what happened when the boy was told Harvill would be visiting their house again. "And how it was related to us is the child just went spastic and he took off and that's how this thing unfolded."
Harvill's neighbors on Hodge Street in Newport were floored after hearing the allegations. Police emphasized that the children abused did not have anything to do with Harvill's job. They also didn't live in Harvill's neighborhood. Still parents who live on the same street as Harvill say they'll be keeping a closer eye on their kids.
Ingram spoke with a woman off-camera who answered the door at Harvill's home. She claimed he didn't actually live there - he was just using that address to receive his mail. However, Newport Police say he did live at the address with his girlfriend and her small kids and that the kids will likely have to be interviewed
Local 12 called Head Start for a statement. Our calls were not returned.
