In just a few hours, jury selection begins for a local day care worker accused of sexually abusing children in his care in St. Louis County.
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We have been following the case of Anthony Guadalupe since his arrest in 2022. He is accused of 21 felony counts of inappropriately touching children at Chappell School.
According to an incident report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, a girl’s father walked into a classroom at Chappell Schools’ Longleaf Campus and saw his daughter pulling down her underwear. After reviewing surveillance video, the report said it showed 20-year-old Guadalupe inappropriately touching the victim and himself.
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Guadalupe initially pleaded guilty but changed his plea to not guilty earlier this year. His lawyer cited intellectual disability.
Prosecutors then added 7 new criminal charges after withdrawing the guilty plea.
Guadalupe now faces a minimum sentence of 103 years in prison, more than the 35 years he was offered in a plea deal.
To read: Former Daycare Employee Accused of Inappropriately Touching Girl at School Faces More Charges
The trial brings mixed emotions to the victims’ parents.
“Our children may have to be judged. Like, it’s not what we would like, and that’s why we settle for 35 years,” said Stephen Campbell, father of one of the victims. “Thirty-five years wasn’t what we wanted in the first place, so it’s a little bittersweet.”
Jury selection begins at 9 a.m. at the St. Louis County Courthouse.
Action News Jax will be inside the courtroom and will bring you the latest.
To read: Guilty plea withdrawn, additional charges added for man facing child molestation charges
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