QUINCY, Mass. —
A former employee at an autism center in Quincy, Massachusetts, is accused of indecently assaulting an underage student.
Joshua Drenth, 30, of Quincy, was charged with one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.
A plea of not guilty was entered on Drenth’s behalf in Quincy District Court on Wednesday.
According to a Quincy police report, the alleged incident occurred on March 31 at the Bierman Autism Center on Crown Colony Drive.
Video allegedly showed Drenth sitting on the floor with the underage victim and tickling them in inappropriate areas.
The police report said other staffers at the center had previously reported Drenth for “unwelcomed physical contact with other employees and various comments that were not appropriate in the setting of a children’s learning center.”
Drenth was terminated from his position on April 1 after about a year of employment.
The victim’s family did not find out about the alleged indecent assault until April 8, according to the police report.
A 51A was filed with the Department of Children and Families on the same day.
The Bierman Autism Center holds just under 40 children and provides services such as applied behavior analysis therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and diagnostic services.
NewsCenter 5 has reached out to the autism center for comment.
Drenth is due back in court on June 22.
