PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Beaverton man was arrested Thursday for sex abuse allegations involving 2 children under the age of 4. 

Beaverton police said John P. Gilbreath, 69, was an employee of the Partridge House Day Care in Beaverton. 

“It’s certainly very concerning when we’re talking about young, young kids,” Office Jeremy Shaw with Beaverton police said. “They don’t really have a loud voice so us adults have to be their voice. That’s why it’s important for us to trust our intuition, trust out judgemental and [if] something doesn’t sound right, we need to ask more questions.”

The accusations were made on March 14, 2018 and June 7, 2016. The cases involve separate children.

“Parents noticed things with their kids and they brought it forward to us,” Shaw said.

Beaverton police said the 2016 allegation was investigated at the time but no criminal charges were filed.

“What happened in that case was information came forward to us, BPD investigated that case, we sent that information to the Washington County District Attorney’s office and at that time, there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward with prosecuting him at that point in time,” Shaw said.

The Partridge House Day Care has been a licensed child care facility since 2009, according to the Oregon Early Learning Division.

Officials said Gilbreath was suspended in June 2016 and not allowed to live in the home where the day care operates. He was reinstated in August 2016.

The Early Learning Division said the day care is still allowed to operate but they are always looking into information about providers and will re-evaluate if there is a risk to child safety. 

Gilbreath pleaded not guilty to 1 count first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, 2 counts of first-degree sodomy and 2 counts of first-degree sex abuse. He is expected in court again on July 9. 

Shaw said they don’t know if there are any more victims, but Gilbreath has had access to kids for years, so it’s possible.

If anyone has information about the incidents or additional victims they are asked to contact police at 503.526.2281.