Man accused of indecent contact at day care

CEDAR RAPIDS — A supervisor at a district before and after school program is accused of inappropriately touching two children.

According to Cedar Rapids police, 28-year-old Maurice A.S. Jones is accused of touching two children over their clothing 'for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them.'

Police said the abuse happened at Five Seasons Day Care Center at Coolidge Elementary, 6225 First Ave. SW. The abuse is alleged to have occurred between May 20, 2014 and Jan. 30, 2015.

Both of the alleged victims are under the age of 12, police said.

Val Dolezal, Executive Administrator of Preschool — 8th grade for the Cedar Rapids Community School District, said Jones was employed at the district as an on-site supervisor for the before and after school program from 2011 until Feb. 11, 2015. He is no longer employed by the district.

As on-site supervisor, Jones planned daily activities for the program, which serves about 45 children, Dolezal said. He answered to a director who is also on-site.

'They're not the only employee in the group of kids,' Dolezal said. 'There are opportunities when kids would be alone with a day care employee.'

Dolezal said she believes the district did all it could to hire a 'quality employee' in Jones. However, she said a review of policies and procedures is likely.

Jones faces two counts of illegal contact with a child, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Jones was taken into custody and booked at the Linn County Jail, but has since been released, according to online court records.

In a message to parents, district officials said the police department considers the investigation ongoing. Anyone with information or questions is asked to call Cedar Rapids police investigator Jennifer Roberts at 286-5400.