Helmond primary school worker suspected of sexually abusing 20 children

A 25-year-old man from Helmond is suspected of sexually abusing 20 children under the age of 12. The abuse took place at the primary school where he worked as well as at several addresses where he worked as a babysitter. He confessed to most of the crimes, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said on Tuesday.

“The police and the OM believe there are 20 victims. There are currently no indications that there are more victims. The abuse is said to have taken place between 2018 and 2024,” the OM said.

The suspect’s arrest was announced over two months ago, but few details were released at the time. It was clear that many parents had spoken with police about a man working as a teacher’s assistant after a report was filed that the man had sexually abused an underage girl.

Local media reports indicated that the incidents involved a worker at the Kindcentrum Mondomijn in Helmond. The man primarily worked with children aged 7 to 12. “Until recently, the man worked as a teacher assistant at a primary school in his hometown,” the OM confirmed.

After the man’s arrest, the police investigated his phone and found images of the sexual abuse of children at the school and several babysitting addresses. “Because of these images, the man is also suspected of producing and possessing child pornography,” the OM said. “No indications have been found that the man distributed the images.”

The authorities have informed all involved parents and offered professional help to the children and parents.

The suspect is still in custody. The first pro forma hearing in this case is scheduled for Wednesday.