One of the owners of the Goddard School Raleigh was arrested last week stemming from accusations involving a statutory sex offense with a five-year-old child.

MALAY JINDAL

On Oct. 27, Malay Jindal, age 58, was arrested on a charge of sex offense with a child by an adult.

Jindal’s bond was set at $2 million and he was released under home incarceration with electronic monitoring. He is to have no contact with the victim in the case and has his next court date on Nov. 17.

Court documents show Jindal is accused of engaging in “forcible fondling” of a five-year-old child. The charging documents say the offense occurred in July.

According to media reports, the mother of the alleged victim appeared in court on Oct. 28 and stated that her daughter “described the scratchy fingers” of one of the owners of the Goddard School Raleigh.

An attorney for Jindal says his client is denying the allegations.

Jindal is apparently one of the owners of the Goddard School Raleigh. Another owner is his wife.

Families with children attending the school received a letter from Goddard System manager Michelle Rees on the same day Jindal was arrested.

“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,” Rees wrote. “Today, following their investigation, local police charged Malay with ‘statutory sex offense with child by [an] adult.’ Malay denies the allegations and will make every effort to refute them.”

A separate statement was issued by Goddard Systems.

“Our first priority, every day, is to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our care. We are deeply concerned by the nature and seriousness of these allegations,” the Goddard System said in a statement. “The owners of The Goddard School of Raleigh (North) have taken this matter very seriously and have been fully cooperating with local authorities, the North Carolina state licensor and Goddard Systems throughout the investigation. The accused owner denies the allegations and will make every effort to refute them.”

The statement also said when the Goddard School in Raleigh was made aware of the investigation over the summer, “the owners immediately alerted parents” and “follow up communication was sent to parents informing them of the charges, which were filed yesterday.”

“Importantly, Goddard Systems and the North Carolina state licensor have strict policies for childcare operators and faculty. Every Goddard School owner and faculty member must undergo regular background checks in accordance with applicable state guidelines and conducted by the relevant authorities. There are never any exceptions,” the Goddard statement says. “Goddard Systems, the franchisor of The Goddard School, will have experienced personnel on-site to ensure the children’s experience and educational programs are not disrupted. We remain committed to creating the safest and most nurturing environment for all children in our schools.”