By Erin McClary MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A 21-year-old Macomb Township man was allegedly caught on camera molesting two young autistic children left under his care June 19. The parents of the two little boys set up a video surveillance at their home to monitor the children under the care of Jonathan Maltese. When they later reviewed the video, it appeared that Maltese had sexually accosted their kids. Maltese, 21, was in the Macomb Township home at the time under the employment of a local agency that specializes in the needs of autistic children. Capt. John Roberts of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said his department received the information the evening of June 19 and picked up the suspect the next day. He said the victims’ parents decided to monitor Maltese not because they had reason to believe he was molesting their children, but more so out of curiosity. “People want to be able to check out what’s going on,” he said. “This is probably their worst nightmare. They don’t want to believe this sort of thing is going on.” Maltese was arraigned in Shelby Township’s 41-A District Court June 23 and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony carrying 15 years jail time; one charge of gross indecency between males committing or procuring, a five-year felony; and one count of accosting children for immoral purposes. Roberts said his department does not believe Maltese has a past criminal record of child molestation. He did not know whether Maltese had been removed from his care-giving position at press time. What exactly Maltese is being accused of doing to the young boys was not detailed, but Roberts did say the video revealed “criminal acts committed upon the children by Mr. Maltese.” Because the investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office was reluctant to provide specifics. “Based on the evidence of the video and interview, evidence does support the criminal sexual conduct charges,” Roberts said. Maltese was released on a cash-surety posted bond after his arraignment June 23. He is expected back in court July 7 at 9 a.m. before Judge Douglas Shepherd for a preliminary examination. The children’s names and ages, as well as the name of the autism agency Maltese worked for, were not released in an effort to conceal the identities of the victims’ family. You can reach Staff Writer Erin McClary at emcclary@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1118. |
