23-year-old man arrested for lewd conduct with young child at daycare
Canyon County has charged a 23-year-old man with Lewd Conduct with a minor.
Joshua Curtis Ritchie, 23, was charged with the offense that carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
The investigation was initiated when the 5-year-old victim disclosed that he was abused by his daycare provider. Ritchie works at a Canyon County daycare, as well as at a Nampa charter school.
Detectives say Ritchie them in an interview that it was true – and that he had sexually assaulted 12 additional children between the ages of 5 and 12.
In the arraignment, Ritchie showed little emotion and, at first, said he did not a want a lawyer to represent him. He later changed his mind when the judge reminded him he could “receive a sentence in the state penitentiary for a long, long time.”
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison
Ritchie has worked at several schools and daycare facilities in Canyon County and officers believe there are other victims out there.
If you have concerns, they ask that you call the Canyon County Sheriff’s office at 454-7480.
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