What to Know
- A victim told her mother Boykin touched her inappropriately in March.
- Investigators identified four victims of molestation and at least 15 of improper touching, prosecutors said.
- Prosecutors also said Boykin took inappropriate photos of children with his smart watch.
A former teacher at a Virginia preschool pleaded guilty to 14 charges of sexually abusing children in his care and taking inappropriate photos of them.
Taylor Keith Boykin, 27, admitted sexually molesting four girls, but prosecutors also revealed as many as 15 children were victims of improper touching by Boykin.
The mother of a girl enrolled at the Minnieland Academy in Bristow sparked the investigation in March when she saw Boykin's strange behavior near the playground slide and asked her 5-year-old daughter what was happening. She told her Boykin, who the children called Mr. Taylor, tickled her all over her body, including her private parts, according to the prosecution.
Boykin would reach into the tube of the slide and sexually assault them, telling them he was tickling them, according to the prosecution. Often he pulled down their pants and underwear and took photos with his smart watch. Investigators found 120 images.
The mother told Child Protective Services, and police began an investigation, quickly identifying other victims.
Police arrested Boykin April 20. Boykin confessed to police, saying, "I knew I shouldn't have been tickling there. I knew I shouldn't have been in that area."
In court Monday, it was revealed another mother first reported improper behavior to the director of Minnieland in 2016. Another teacher told the director in January 2018 she saw Boykin tickling children between the legs, and that same month, the lead kindergarten teacher told the director Boykin made improper comments about children's pants being pulled down.
Boykin pleaded guilty to charges including indecent liberties, aggravated sexual battery and production of child pornography.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia news, events and updates
Boykin faces life in prison at sentencing in March. Some victims' parents will take the stand at sentencing to tell the judge how the crimes affected their daughters.
Minnieland's Bristow location closed in June because of parents taking their children out of the program. Some parents are considering legal action against Minnieland's owners.
Minnieland sent News4 a statement Monday, saying, "Minnieland Academy is relieved Taylor Keith Boykin has taken responsibility for his actions by entering a guilty plea to the charges against him in Prince Williams County Circuit Court. We were appalled by Boykin’s violation of trust of children, their families and his co-workers. Minnieland Academy is focused on providing the safest and most nurturing environment. We have cooperated fully with investigators and have implemented enhanced security measures."
