A former employee of an Ogden daycare is facing charges of sexually assaulting and exploiting a five-year-old girl.30-year-old Tanner Dobson had remained employ
2News Investigator Darby Sparks has discovered at least two other police reports had been filed against Dobson regarding sexual assault dating back seven years and spoke with the parents involved, who said that both cases were closed due to insufficient evidence.
When the South Ogden Police Department were asked for copies of the initial reports, they denied the request citing an active investigation, meaning the once closed reports had been re-opened with Dobson’s new charges. Meanwhile, parents who filed the reports say they feel more victims may have been saved if police took a closer look the first time. According to their website, Progressive Preschool has been a small, family-run establishment since the late 1970’s. For three years, it was the perfect fit for Brittany Hartman, who lives down the street and has a small daughter. She said she even befriended the daycare's owner, Jamie Bitton. “I wasn't aware of the prior accusations, or even that it was her son before ," Hartman said.Now, Hartman has been told by police to watch out for signs that her daughter has been sexually abused by Bitton’s son, Tanner Dobson, who will be attending a preliminary hearing at the end of February for charges of sexually abusing a little girl the same age. According to the Jan. 8 police report, Dobson took the little girl upstairs during the daycare’s gymnastics class and filmed her nude, then touched her inappropriately. “It changes a kid’s life, you know?” said Christine Keyworth, the mother of a child who said Dobson sexually assaulted her. Both the daycare and police had been aware of other accusations for years before Dobson’s most recent arrest. In 2022, Keyworth said her daughter was molested at Progressive Preschool during their gymnastics class.Keyworth also said her stepdaughter, who also attended the daycare, claimed to have experienced a similar assault. After asking the owner Jamie Bitton for video surveillance, “she just basically blew up on me and said the accusations weren't true.” So Keyworth went to the South Ogden Police Department to file a report, where she said they were shut down. “We waited like, two, three weeks, and they told us that the because insignificant evidence, they're going to just close the case,” Keyworth said. “They didn't even say he’s been accused before.” Bryli Tucker said she formerly attended Progressive Preschool with family members until her two cousins claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Dobson in 2017.Tucker told 2News that she witnessed Dobson get small children alone on multiple occasions. "He would take us to gymnastics he would like to single out kids and take them upstairs,” she said. “It just saddens me that it wasn't dealt with when it needed to be.” Melissa Crane, the mother of Bryli’s cousins, said that she filed a police report in 2017 when both of her daughters told her they were scared of Dobson because he touches them inappropriately. Her youngest child was just three years old at the time. Crane said she held up all ten fingers to indicate how many times Dobson had touched her inappropriately. “She said, ‘I don't like tanner, he touches my butt,’” said Crane, adding, “my older one said, ‘he touches our butt when we sit on his lap.’”“They first interviewed my kids, then they interviewed me. They kind of made it seem like I was lying, like I was making it up,” said Crane.However, when Crane asked Detective Brian Schultz, who worked on her 2017 case, for the original report she made against Dobson after finding out about his most recent charges, her request was denied citing an active investigation.When 2News tried to obtain copies, the South Ogden Police Department also denied the request pending an active investigation.“I feel like they didn't take the time to actually investigate ,” said Keyworth. In an email exchange between Investigative Reporter Darby Sparks and Detective Brian Schultz, the original investigation into both cases was emphasized to have been thoroughly investigated by the police department by a group of highly trained individuals in crimes against children. Despite the in depth police work, Schultz told 2News that insufficient evidence caused both cases to be closed. Schultz added there was a lack of surveillance footage and witness corroboration. In a response, 2News asked Schultz how both cases from 2017 and 2022 could have been ‘investigated thoroughly’ if they are now both being re-opened for a closer look.Meanwhile, mothers like Brittany Hartman say the lack of transparency goes a long way. “I definitely wouldn't have enrolled if I knew about it ,” she said.Tanner Dobson no longer works at the establishment, but it is still owned and in operation by his mother and sister Tayla, who is also the daycare’s director. 2News spoke with the state’s licensing division about their protocol when it comes to sexual assault charges being filed against daycare employees and will have an update on their response as soon as it becomes available.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Parents' Conversations About Black Lives Matter with Children84% of Black parents and 76% of white parents reported talking about Black Lives Matter with their children. Most Black parents acknowledged racial inequality, affirmed the value of Black lives, and called for justice. Fewer white parents acknowledged inequality. Some focused on general equality, and 27% lacked substance.
Read more »
Experts warn parents of threats as Lurie's Children's Hospital hit by cyberattackCybersecurity experts are warning parents to be vigilant after a ‘cybersecurity matter’ caused significant issues at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s…
Read more »
At downtown protest, parents press Chicago Public Schools to provide ‘immediate’ relief to families without busingIn a downtown protest, parents demanded busing for the 5,500 students who’d been promised transportation when enrolling in district magnet and selective enrollment schools.
Read more »
Why We Need to Let Parents Use Campaign Funds for ChildcareMore states are trying to ensure that political candidates, especially young women, are able to use campaign funds for childcare.
Read more »
Juneau teachers, students and parents react to proposals for closing or reorganizing schoolsThe Juneau School District is facing a nearly $8 million budget deficit for the current school year. District leaders are considering closing or reorganizing schools and cutting staff to balance the budget.
Read more »
Teen surrenders after allegedly shooting parents, killing his father, in Cut and ShootA teen is now in custody after admitting to killing his father and critically injuring his mother in a shooting at the family’s Montogomery County home.
Read more »