Boy, 15, to Be Placed in Home for Sex Offenders

A 15-year-old former volunteer at the Moorpark Boys & Girls Club will be placed in a group home for juvenile sex offenders after admitting he molested seven children at the club this summer.

Superior Court Judge John E. Dobroth imposed the order Thursday after a Juvenile Court hearing attended by parents of the sexually abused children.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bernardo Gonzales, who prosecuted the case, said all sides want to see the boy rehabilitated.

“The families, although hurt, were very understanding,” Gonzales said. “Their goals appear to be twofold: help their sons, and they want to see the minor get the counseling he needs so he doesn’t harm anyone else.”

As part of the order, the boy will receive counseling. There is no minimum or maximum time to be served, but the judge will receive reports on his progress every six months.

If the counseling succeeds, the boy could be sent home. If not, he could be held in state custody until age 21 and required to register as a sex offender.

Earlier this month, the boy admitted sexually assaulting seven boys, ages 9 to 11, while working as a volunteer at the club’s summer camp.

According to police, he lured the children into an area out of view and molested them over a four-week period in June.

He admitted to the charges on Aug. 17, Gonzales said.

The boy was well-known to children and adults at the club, which serves more than 1,000 youths.