TULSA, Okla. — Two men were arrested today, accused of sexual abuse against children at the Tiny Tots Learning Spot in Tulsa.
Officers say they spoke with three victims, all under the age of 7. The Child Crisis Unit tells us they believe abuse was going on for the last two to three years.
Tulsa Police was first tipped off in December, when a 7-year-old approached her family about sexual abuse, saying she was touched inappropriately daily by both 19-year-old Malcolm Burts and 21-year-old Charles Burts.
Officers began an investigation at the daycare two months ago, and said two others came forward.
"It's not uncommon for children, when they're abused by somebody that they know and care for, trust, or even love whether that be a family member or a trusted caretaker... it's not uncommon for them to take a while to disclose abuse like that," Cpl. Mark Kraft said.
What surfaced were complaints of being given cell phones as a distraction, then touched under their clothes. One 6-year-old said in the affidavit Charles also asked her to touch him back. The affidavit said abuse likely went on for three years.
"Parents send their children to daycare trusting that they're going to be taken care of and kept safe and then something like this happens and it really just makes you distrust everybody," Kraft said.
DHS is currently running its own investigation, but neighboring businesses said the daycare stayed vacant for the last month.
Police say the daycare is owned by the parents of the two men arrested for abuse. A DHS report shows at least one employee was working without a background check.
Both Malcolm and Charles Burts were arrested on multiple counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12 years old.
The Burts trial is still in jury selection, according to officials with the Tulsa County Courthouse.
Officials said, the trial is postponed to next week, because the court reporter has been stricken with flu.
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