Army investigates allegations of abuse at daycare center on Japanese base

TOKYO – The Army Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an allegation of abuse at a U.S. Army Garrison Japan Child Development Center just outside Tokyo.

A CID spokesman confirmed that an investigation was underway into an allegation that arose at the facility in the Sagamihara Family Housing Area, about four kilometers from Camp Zama, the U.S. Army headquarters in Japan.

CID spokesman Thomas Hamilton III said in an email to Stars and Stripes on Tuesday that he could not provide further details while the investigation was ongoing.

Parents of children enrolled at the center were informed of the investigation via email on Tuesday by Eric Hill, director of family and moral welfare and recreation at Camp Zama.

His email, a copy of which was obtained by Stars and Stripes, provides few details.

Neither Hill nor Hamilton provided information about the nature of the abuse allegations.

Hill’s email said CID had communicated directly with the families and, in accordance with standard policy, “some staff were temporarily relieved of their duties and contact with children for the duration of the investigation.”

When Stars and Stripes reached him by phone on Wednesday, Hill declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

CDCs are “age-appropriate environments” that prepare children to learn life skills through hands-on activities and learning environments, according to the Sagamihara Center’s website. The center’s activities and programs are available for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.