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Bentonville Daycare Worker Free On Bond After Second Sexual Assault Arrest

BENTONVILLE (KFSM) — A daycare worker arrested on a sexual assault charge in June was arrested again after Bentonville police say a second victim was disc...

BENTONVILLE (KFSM) -- A daycare worker arrested on a sexual assault charge in June was arrested again after Bentonville police say a second victim was discovered.

Nathan Jack Clemons, 24, of Rogers was first arrested June 29 by Bentonville police on a charge of second-degree sexual assault.

He was accused of assaulting a minor at Mary's Little Lambs Preschool where he worked. He later posted a $50,000 bond.

Bentonville police on Wednesday (Aug. 8) arrested Clemons again on another second-degree sexual assault charge linked to the daycare. He's free on a $25,000 bond.

Police said that during their continued investigation of the first charge, they found a second victim, a minor, at the same daycare.

Clemons was fired within 24 hours after a parent notified the preschool's staff of the initial alleged sexual assault.

Mary's Little Lambs Preschool notified parents immediately after the reported allegations, the preschool's director told 5NEWS.

Bentonville police arrested Clemons in June after learning of allegations that Clemons molested a boy at the daycare.

The daycare's administrator, Rose Mary Pham, was notified by the parent of a student that "a male teacher inappropriately touched his 7-year-old son on this day," according to a probable case affidavit.

The parent told Pham and the daycare manager that the boy told his parents the worker had given him a massage during movie time.

The boy, who was wearing shorts that day, said his legs were cold, so Clemons had the boy sit on his lap and began massaging his arms, legs and thighs.

According to the affidavit, Clemons then moved his hands up under the boy's underwear and touched him inappropriately. The parent asked if the boy had ever seen any other kids getting "massages" from Clemons, and he said yes.

Another boy, who also attends the daycare, later said he got "massages" from Clemons.

Clemons was confronted by the administrator and denied the charge, the affidavit said. He was placed on suspension by the daycare pending an investigation.

The child was interviewed at the Benton County Children's Advocacy Center, and his testimony was found to be "credible and forthcoming," the affidavit said.

Police later interviewed Clemons at his home, where he said he did massage the child's legs because he complained they were cold. However, Clemons again denied that he touched the child inappropriately.

Clemons then asked for an attorney but agreed to give police a DNA sample.

Natalie Tibbs with the Childrens Advocacy Center says if your child attends Mary's Little Lambs Preschool, talking to them about sexual assault is important.

"Framing the conversation about what body safety rules parents want to have with their kids, and what parts of their body are okay for touch and what parts are not okay for touch," Tibbs told 5NEWS.

Tibbs says if you feel your child has been victim of sexual abuse, the first step is to stay calm.

"The very next step is then reporting it to the child abuse hotline, and I know that seems very scary. Calling the hotline feels intimidating, it makes you feel very exposed and vulnerable, but understanding there's a whole system in place to protect kids."

5NEWS asked one woman whose child has been attending the preschool for about a year if she feels her child is safe.

"Absolutely yes, (it's) very safe here. It's a wonderful facility, and we aren't going to take him out for any reason."

According to the affidavit, Clemons had two prior jobs where he worked with special needs children. Police also learned that the incident took place during Clemons' last week at the preschool.

Clemons told investigators he had taken another job working with children at a Rogers school. A spokeswoman for Rogers Public Schools said Thursday (Aug. 9) Clemons had applied for a position, but the process wasn't finalized.

Clemons has a hearing set for Sept. 12 in Benton County Circuit Court.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call Sgt. Kris Moffit of the Bentonville Police at (479) 271-3177.

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