Delco Man Who Ran Daycare Charged With Sex Assault On Children

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A Delaware County man who ran an in-home daycare in Chester County is now facing rape of a child and related charges after being arrested recently, authorities said.

James Anthony Battista, 70, of Drexel Hill and formerly of Chester County, has been charged with felony rape of a child, felony sexual contact with a minor, felony aggravated indecent assault, felony endangering the welfare of children, and indecent assault on a person less than 13 years old, court records show.

Battista once owned the in-home Little Friends Daycare in Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania State Police said. His wife was the co-owner.

Reports of sexual assault surfaced last June, when Pennsylvania State Police were told that Battista had assaulted a 3-year-old child.

An investigation determined that three more children were sexually assaulted by Battista at the daycare, all between 3- and 7-years-old, according to state police.

The assaults reportedly occurred over a three-year period, from 2006 to 2009.

The daycare closed in 2010, NBC Philadelphia reports, and Battista then moved to Delaware County.

Battista was booked at Chester County Prison on $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for March 26.

State Police believe there may be more victims. If you have any information, contact PA State Trooper Stefano Gallina at (610) 268-2022.

Story by Justin Heinze