Former Darien Resident Charged with Child Sex Assault in Louisiana

Former children’s TV show host Frank John Selas III, 76, aka “Mr. Wonder” was arrested on child sexual abuse charges dating back to a 1979 incident.

Selas was a resident of Darien at one time, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.

The sheriff’s office received a complaint in 1979 that Sellas allegedly sexually abused several children during a camping retreat.

Selas fled the state and his vehicle was located in a Dallas, TX suburb. He later fled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Detectives later learned of allegations of child sex abuse when Selas was in Japan in the early 1970’s.

Selas returned to the United States and stayed in Darien, Vermont, Chicago, San Diego, Massachusetts and Bonita, Calif.

He was located in January in Bonita and had changed his name to Frank John Szeles. His wife also changed her name, the sheriff’s office said. The U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies took part in the search.

Selas was charged with two counts of obscene behavior with a juvenile.