Raleigh daycare owner charged with statutory sex offense with child
One of the owners of a Raleigh daycare was arrested Thursday, following an accusation of statutory sex offense with a child.
58-year-old Malay Jindal, one of The Goddard School owners, was charged.
The alleged victim was believed to be a 5-year-old, according to court documents described to WRAL News.
In a statement from parent company Goddard Systems, a message read "the owners of the Goddard School of Raleigh (North) have taken this matter very seriously and have been fully cooperating with local authorities."
The statement said "the accused owner denies the allegations and will make every effort to refute them."
When they were made aware of the investigation over the summer, the school owners immediately alerted parents. A follow-up note was sent to parents informing them of the charges, which were filed Thursday.
Goddard Systems franchises out locations in the U.S., including in Raleigh.
Michelle Rees, the manager of Goddard Systems, sent families a letter on Thursday.
"As the Jindals shared with you in August, an investigation was initiated at The Goddard School of Raleigh (North) following an allegation that was made against an on-site owner, Malay. Today, following their investigation, local police charged Malay with "statutory sex offense with child by adult." Malay denies the allegations and will make every effort to refute them."
Jindal is listed as on the Board of Directors for the NCIAP People's Medical Care, a non-profit based in the Triangle. According to his biography on their website, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from IIT in India and a Master's degree in Atmospheric Science from NC State. He was an environmental consultant for over 20 years prior to opening his Goddard School.
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and on the Chamber’s Education Committee, according to the website.
"Mr. Jindal is an ardent believer in community service," it says. "He supports organizations that promote education for children, humanitarian efforts, and welfare of animals."
He has lived in Raleigh with his wife since 1994, according to the website.
The full letter sent to parents on Thursday reads as follows:
