Owner of Millbrook preschool charged with sexual harassment of employee

MILLBROOK, Alabama (WSFA) – Millbrook police said the owner of a local preschool – who was also a reserve police officer – has been accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

According to Millbrook Police Chief PK Johnson, a report was filed last week in which a woman accused her employer of sexual harassment. The allegations say it happened between April and August at the Millbrook Adventure Kids Preschool and Nursery.

The woman said the preschool's owner, Jesse Thomas, 33, made unwanted and unsolicited sexual comments to her and touched her inappropriately on several occasions.

Municipal court officials concluded that probable cause for the charge against Thomas was sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. Thomas turned himself in on August 21 and later paid bail.

“Even though this is a misdemeanor, it is a very serious charge, especially considering that the alleged crimes occurred in the victim's workplace and that there was a managerial or business ownership relationship between the victim and the alleged perpetrator,” Johnson said.

The police chief said Thomas was a reserve officer with the Coosada Police Department but resigned before turning himself in.

Sign up for the WSFA Newsletter and get the latest local news and breaking news sent to your email!

All rights reserved.