BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Police say he's a trusted community member turned molester.
Jonathan Hendricksen was a swim instructor at the Burlington YMCA. That's where police say he took advantage of a seven-year-old student.
Police say during an interview Hendricksen kept changing his story about what happened in the shower with his young student. They say, despite his denials, he did commit a crime.
After a swim lesson at the YMCA earlier this year, police say a seven-year-old boy went to shower and was followed by his swim coach.
"There was some inappropriate contact with a juvenile male at the YMCA," says Lieutenant Kris Carlson, Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations.
Carlson says 28-year-old Hendricksen molested the boy, whose name was not released because of his age. Police say the boy told a family member about the abuse and she went to the YMCA and police.
Police say their investigation continues but as of right now they think this was a one time thing and they aren't aware of any other kids that were touched inappropriately.
The YMCA took no chances with Hendricksen who worked here on and off for nine years.
"We terminated his employment immediately," says Mary Burns, Greater Burlington YMCA president.
Burns says they sent a letter to about 200 families whose kids were around Hendricksen.
"That they should talk to their children just to make sure just to make sure this was one incident and it didn't happen with any other children," says Burns.
Burns say the Y does have child protection policies and does background checks. But she says because of legal reasons they can't say if they've had previous problems with Hendricksen.
"We wish this didn't happen, it's really, really upsetting," says Burns.
Police say Hendricksen also worked at a school in Williston. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of the charge of the lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.
