Published: November 24, 2009 07:40 am      

Man accused of sex assault at day care

Five-year-old victim had been in his wife's care for four years

TRAVERSE CITY -- The husband of a former local day care provider is accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in his wife's care.

Danny Roy Schneider is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 and two counts of second-degree CSC with a person under 13, all felonies. Schneider was arrested and arraigned last week and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on Dec. 3.

Schneider, 55, is the husband of Rosemary Schneider, who began her East Bay Township day care in 2000. Schneider allegedly had repeated sexual contact with a girl who had been in his wife's care for about four years, according to police reports.

The girl's mother called Michigan State Police in May after the girl allegedly disclosed the activity. When interviewed by police, the girl allegedly described multiple sexual encounters that happened at the day care, reports indicate.

Danny Schneider looked after the children at the day care in Rosemary's absence, according to police reports. Six children were enrolled in the day care at the time the incident was reported to police.

Michigan Department of Human Services officials revoked Rosemary Schneider's day care license not long after the allegations surfaced, DHS spokeswoman Gisgie Dávila Gendreau said. A DHS investigation found violations of "administrative rules regarding caregiver suitability and supervision," Gendreau said.

The day care was in "full compliance" as of a March inspection and didn't have any prior complaints, according to police reports.

Grand Traverse County prosecutor Alan Schneider said police haven't requested charges tied to other potential victims. The trooper who investigated the incident couldn't be reached for comment.

A call to the Schneider residence wasn't returned.