A gymnastics gym is trying to calm the worries of parents after a former coach was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a girl in his care.
Gymnastics of York released a lengthy statement about Daniel Jacob Erb following his arrest Friday. Detectives said Erb admitted to inappropriately touching a girl over a three year period, court documents show.
Chris Aldous, owner of Gymnastics of York, said Erb passed a background search and had no criminal history when he worked for his gym.
"He was background checked and had clearances from [USA Gymnastics] at his subsequent positions in other gyms," Aldous said in a statement.
Erb was "never alone at the facility with any gymnast," Aldous said.
The 33-year-old Hatboro man left Gymnastics of York more than a year ago. He most recently worked at Tumble Kids Gymnastics in Wyndmoor. A source with knowledge of the investigation told NBC10 on Friday that Erb spent time working at half a dozen gyms across the Philadelphia area.
Court records show Erb told detectives the assault was like a game of "Am I going to get caught."
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Erb, a married father, is being held in the Montgomery County Prison on $500,000 bail. Court records don't indicate if he has an attorney. Attempts to contact family have been unsuccessful.
No additional allegations of abuse have surfaced since Erb's arrest. Prosecutors are asking anyone with information about the alleged assault to contact Upper Moreland Police at 215.657.5700.
A spokesperson with Tumble Kids Gymnastics sent NBC10 the following statement:
We take our responsibility to care for our children seriously. Daniel Erb was only employed for two weeks at Tumble Kids Gymnastics and no longer works here. His background check with USA Gymnastics came back clear and he was never left alone with any of our athletes. We have a clear, open viewing area to allow all parents to observe classes. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim.
