Day care still open despite owner's arrest

It was clear outside the A+ Just for Kids Academy in Mandarin that parents were aware of the controversy surrounding the facility's owner. It was also clear they didn't want to talk about it. Most answered the media's request for comments with a nod and a car door slam.

One woman who works at a nearby day care did say she had heard about the Friday arrest of David Hart.

"I was shocked when i heard about it. I can't believe this is right down the street," said Carrie Eckenrode.

Action News has obtained the documents detailing the accusations against Hart. In the police report, one victim told police Hart had sex with him when he was as young as thirteen years-old and fondled him since he was ten. Another victim claims sexual abuse by Hart started when he was five years old. There is also a third alleged victim. In the report, one of the victims confronts Hart about the abuse asking if he can he live with what he is doing. Hart is said to reply, "I can and I will."

No one answered the door at Hart's listed address in Mandarin. At the daycare Monday morning, parents got a letter from Hart's attorney Ann Finnell which read, "the allegations do not involve any children who are enrolled in this daycare, nor is any allegation alleged to have occured on daycare property."

The letter goes on to say Hart steadfastly denies the allegations of abuse, maintains his innocence, and that the daycare has no plans to close.

The letter seems to be enough for the parents we tried to talk to who told us off camera they have no immediate plans to move their children elsewhere but Eckenrode says she's heard enough.

"I would not have my kids in there. They would be pulled out right away," she said.