ANCHORAGE – An elementary school janitor in the Mat-Su Valley has been arrested after admitting to sexually abusing two minors, according to court documents.
Now police said they are searching for more victims.
According to the Palmer Police Department, 71-year-old Benjamin Hammond was arrested on Sunday and charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
Palmer Police Detective Sgt. Shayne LaCroix said one of Hammond’s victims came forward and told police that Hammond had molested her on several occasions from the time she was 5 up through 16.
LaCroix said the investigation into the first victim’s claims led to the discovery of a second victim.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Districts said Hammond had been working as a janitor at Willow Elementary for several years.
Hammond’s work at the elementary school may have given him opportunity to claim more victims, police said.
The first victim, whose identity will not be released, told police that Hammond stopped abusing her sometime around the year 2000.
LaCroix said patterns show that child abusers rarely stop until they are caught, which is why the department is asking for any other person that may have been a victim of Hammond to come forward.
Palmer Police are urging parents to use this situation to have a serious talk with their children.
“If a child does not feel safe or makes them feel uncomfortable they should tell somebody,” LaCroix said. ”A teacher, a parent, somebody who they are comfortable with, feel safe with and can help them. That’s what parents really need to know and what they should talk to their kids about.”
Police are asking parents and community members to contact the Office of Children’s Services or their local police department if they have any more information on this case.
The number to the Palmer Police Department is 745-4811.