SALEM, N.H. (WHDH) — 72-year-old Ronald Libby was arrested and charged with attempted aggravated sexual assault of a child. Police say it happened at Libby's home in Salem, New Hampshire where his wife babysat pre-school age children for years.
“The victim stated that the suspect repeatedly attempted to get the victim to touch him inappropriately and vice versa. A very young child. It happened on numerous occasions,” said Deputy Chief Shawn Patten, Salem, N.H. Police Department.
Libby's wife Nellie, says the allegations against her husband are not true.
“He’s not here, we're innocent and whoever started this, it’s in my lawyer’s hands,” said Nellie Libby, the suspect's wife.
Police say Nellie babysat children in her home for three to four decades in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Since Ronald Libby's arrest last week, police say five other potential victims have come forward including some who are still young children and others who are now adults in their 30s.
“We're estimating that potentially there are 100 kids over the last two or three decades that were babysat by the wife of the suspect. We're fearful there is other victims out there,” said Patten.
“Mrs. Libby used to babysit me as a little kid,” said Hudson Wells.
24-year-old Hudson Wells, who lives across the street, says Ronald Libby never tried anything with him. But still, he says the allegations are disturbing.
“Shocking and weird to hear; a little difficult to hear,” said Wells.
Ronald Libby was released on personal recognizance but he has been ordered to stay away from kids and surrender all of his firearms. His wife says she is no longer babysitting, and police are urging any other potential victims to come forward.