A judge ruled Wednesday that Utah County prosecutors can use as evidence a videotaped interview between a state social worker and a young child in the preliminary hearing of a Springville day-camp operator charged with sexual abuse.
Arvid Oakley, 53, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday in 4th District Court on a charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony.Instead, Oakley's attorneys used the hearing to try to suppress the videotape, claiming it is unreliable. On the tape, a young child tells a Division of Family Services investigator about allegedly being fondled by Oakley.
Judge Guy R. Burningham found no evidence supporting Oakley's argument. The state investigator testified the tape was accurate and that she operated the recording equipment. Burningham rescheduled the preliminary hearing for Oct. 29. Oakley remains free on $5,000 bail.
According to court documents, Oakley started a free day-care program in 1991 called Superkids of America. The former elementary teacher in the Uintah School District provided day care in his home, and took participants on daylong activities and overnight camping trips. The organization was incorporated in 1995.
The charge Oakley faces involves a 5-year-old girl who allegedly told officials at Primary Children's Medical Center that Oakley touched her private parts and told her not to tell anyone. The child, who participated in Superkids, later told the story to state investigators.
Investigators from Utah County and Springville allege that Oakley used the day-camp program, toys and gifts to build relationships with young children. After gaining their trust, he fondled and photographed them clothed and naked.
According to court documents, other participants in Superkids told investigators that Oakley examined young girls with their clothes off and bathed them at his home. While the girls were naked, he would allegedly examine them for pinworms and ticks in a camper or a room at his home called "the tick room."
Oakley told investigators that the examinations were part of training to become a paramedic. He also told investigators that the worm and tick examinations were done with parental permission. He denied the allegations and said Superkids was established for the welfare of children.