Crime & Safety
Kumon Tutor Accused of Molesting Child
Police say a tutor from the Norwalk Kumon molested a 13-year-old. Police are looking for more victims, while the center is allowing remaining students to move to other centers.
A national chain of tutoring companies today said its students may transfer to other company locations following the arrest of a tutor accused of committing sex crimes against a 13-year-old girl in Norwalk, as deputies seek any possible other victims.
Kumon centers are located in Walnut, Loma Linda, Redlands and Diamond Bar, according to the company’s website.
Kumon North America Inc. issued a press release today that said all of its franchise owners undergo background checks, including an FBI check. The company said its Norwalk franchisee, Frank Chung, underwent and passed such a check.
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Chung, 63, was arrested without incident at his home in La Palma Thursday afternoon, and was held in lieu of $1 million bail for suspicion of lewd acts with a minor, said Sgt Daniel Scott of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau.
For five years, Chung has worked at his Kumon Learning Center franchise in Norwalk, Scott said. He also spent some 25 years tutoring children in Northern California, and deputies are investigating if other children may have been molested.
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The Kumon Corporation today said its “highest priority is the safety and education of its students.” In its statement, the company said it would allow parents “to immediately transfer students to any other Kumon Center if they would prefer to do so at no additional cost to the family.”
The Norwalk store, at 11657 The Plaza, was closed today, but the company said it would reopen with different teachers Monday. Kumon was founded in Japan in 1958 and specializes in math lessons.
Scott said an investigation into Chung's conduct was launched after the victim was overheard telling a sibling of inappropriate sexual contacts with the suspect on several occasions.
“Based on the investigation, detectives from the Special Victims Bureau believe there are more victims and are requesting help from the public,” Scott said.
Scott asked anyone with information about Chung to call the Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-LASD.
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