Whitehall man charged with sexually assaulting 3 youths at daycare center

WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A Whitehall man was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting three children in his care at a local daycare facility.

Zachary Zimmerman, 22, of Whitehall, faces felony charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent sexual assault and indecent assault after authorities say he assaulted three youths at the A Lot Like Home Daycare on the 2300 block of North First Avenue.

Officials said an investigation revealed Zimmerman assaulted the three juveniles who attended the daycare between 2011 through 2017.

"Crimes of this nature are repugnant, especially when committed against children," said Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin.

Martin said the children were between the ages of 10 and 11 at the time of the crimes.

Residents say the suspect's mom has operated the daycare for decades and they have never heard anything negative associated with the facility.

"You just can't be doing anything like that in general. I mean, it's his mom's business and it's his mom's livelihood," said Ryan Mohr, of Whitehall.

"There is no indication at this point that they knew what had occurred but I would suspect there would be an investigation by the state authorities," said Martin.

The alleged crimes are the the talk of the small community and many admit they are heartbroken to hear that children were harmed.

"I have grandchildren and I use to baby sit my grandson. I would never put him in a daycare...never. Too much stuff like this going on," said Carole Olesak, of Whitehall.

Zimmerman's bail was set $75,000. A preliminary hearing is set for next week.