A leisure centre animator in Tours is suspected of raping a three-year-old girl in February and March 2026, Public Prosecutor Catherine Sorita-Minard announced. The man, born in 1988 and unknown to judicial services, has been placed under assisted witness status. Investigations continue to check for other possible victims.
Public Prosecutor Catherine Sorita-Minard of Tours stated in a press release that the alleged acts involved a girl born in 2022. The animator had worked for several years in Tours schools for morning drop-offs, lunch breaks, end-of-day care, and school holidays.
Presented to justice on Thursday for potential indictment on rape of a minor under 15 by a person in authority, the Tours resident was not charged. An investigating judge placed him under the more favourable assisted witness status, the prosecutor clarified on social network X.
Investigations cover the reported facts and possible other victims.
The city of Tours announced the animator was suspended on April 17 conservatively by his employer and barred from all child-contact activities. He was removed from midday break duties ahead of the April 27 restart. A collective information meeting for parents of affected centre children is scheduled for early next week.
