YMCA camp director accused of child sex abuse worked at 5 camp programs in Orange County
Josh Horner, from Walden, was arrested in August for allegedly sexually assaulting a child less than 13 years old.
News 12 is learning more about the child sex abuse arrest of a well-known camp director and the locations where he worked, as police ask other possible victims to come forward.
Josh Horner, from Walden, was arrested in August for allegedly sexually assaulting a child less than 13 years old.
Horner, 34, is well-known in Cornwall for working with community kids in the YMCA’s before-and-after-school Club Kid program.
The YMCA says the camp director also worked at Camp Robbins in Walden and the Club Kid programs in Pine Bush, Valley Central and Wallkill. Middletown YMCA CEO Ross Miceli issued a statement saying, “We are appalled and deeply saddened by these allegations. Most importantly, though, our thoughts and prayers are with the child involved and their family.”
Cornwall Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski says several worried parents have reached out with concerns since Horner’s arrest.
“Upon learning that Josh Horner was arrested, I immediately reached out to our police and recreation departments to confirm that he wasn’t involved with any camps or programs administered or run by the Town of Cornwall,” said Wojehowski. “It’s important for Cornwall residents to know that we have a child abuse prevention policy in place, do background checks and screen the sex offender database for employees, coaches and counselors that interact with children. We take the welfare and safety of children under our care very seriously.”
The YMCA says it also performs background checks on employees both before and after an individual is hired.
Community members have also voiced outrage about the allegations.
“It makes me angry, makes me sad and makes me sick,” said one man.
Horner is on administrative leave from the YMCA. State police ask anyone with information about him to call troopers at 845-344-5300.
“It’s hard for the child. It's hard for the parents. It's even hard for the children that have not come forward yet,” said Janet Gregorio, from Cornwall.
