Former kindergarten teacher sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a four-year-old girl

Ava Boldizar and Adam Conn

37 minutes ago

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WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – A former Westerville daycare worker accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday.

David Cantrell, 31, was initially charged with two counts of gross sexual assault but pleaded guilty to a lesser count of child endangerment.

In April 2023, Cantrell was arrested by the Westerville Division of Police after receiving a complaint from Nationwide Children’s Hospital about the former daycare worker, alleging he sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl in the restroom at Nest Schools at 840 Dempsey Street in Westerville.

Westerville police have charged him with third-degree felony in which a victim is unable to consent due to intoxication or is under 13 years old.

In 2021 and 2022, Franklin County Children Services received at least four complaints about Cantrell’s inappropriate behavior toward and touching children. Some complaints related to misconduct at his previous places of work.

According to the incident report, Cantrell was known to be an employee at daycare centers in the Columbus area, including the following:

• The Nest Schools (840 Dempsey Road in Westerville)
• La Petite Academy (4426 Valley Quail Blvd. in Westerville)
• KinderCare (861 Eastwind Drive in Westerville)
• Gahanna Children’s College (230 Agler Road in Gahanna)

Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler asked families who may be concerned about their children’s previous contact with Cantrell to contact them at 614-901-6881 or by email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 614-901-6866.