Youth leader charged with sexually abusing children in Connecticut

Thursday, February 10, 2022
NORWALK, Connecticut (WABC) -- A Connecticut youth leader is facing two counts of first-degree sexual assault related to alleged incidents with multiple children.

Norwalk police say 44-year-old Jean Bernard had inappropriate contact with at least two juveniles, and they fear there may be more victims.
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Authorities say the Special Victim's Unit received numerous reports about Bernard in January, alleging the activity had occurred over several years.

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The ensuing investigation led to warrants for Bernard's arrest, and he was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Bernard was a member of Mont des Oliviers Seventh Day Adventist Church in Norwalk.

He was a youth leader and worked with their "Pathfinder Club," a group similar to the Boy Scouts. He was also the person who had control of the keys and maintained the security cameras.

The arrest warrants state that in January, a 10-year old boy told his family about abuse that had been going on since he was 6 or 7 and occurred nearly every other week.
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Shortly thereafter, the second victim came forward.

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He is now 18 and alleges abuse happened between the ages of 6 and 16.

According to the documents, the abuse happened in rooms of the church or the basement, in areas where there were no cameras.
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Anyone with additional information or who believes they may be a victim is urged to call the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111.



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