Molesting Charges Against Preschool Aide Dropped

Charges against a former South Bay preschool aide accused of sexually molesting five girls were dismissed today after a prosecutor said the girls’ parents did not want them to testify in a second trial.

Acting on a motion by defense attorney William J. MacCabe, Torrance Superior Court Judge William C. Beverly dismissed 11 counts of child molestation that had been filed against the aide, Michael Ruby, 18. Dismissal of the charges came two weeks after jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the case.

“I’m innocent and I’m sorry that didn’t come out at the trial,” Ruby, flanked by his parents, said outside the courtroom. Later, he added: “I’m stoked”--surfer slang for happy.

5 Girls Testified

Ruby had been charged with molesting the girls at the now-closed Manhattan Ranch Preschool between September, 1983, and July, 1984. During his 11-week trial, five girls between the ages of 5 and 7 testified that he molested them at several locations at the school and then threatened to kill their parents if they told anyone.

Jurors, however, said inconsistencies in the girls’ testimony about where and how often they were molested caused them to deadlock.

“You simply can’t try a case without witnesses,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Lisa Hart said after the charges were dropped. “I understand the parents’ position completely. I have lived with them through this ordeal.”