Jury trial begins in case against former preschool teacher accused of grooming, inappropriate contact
Jonson Kuhn/The Aspen Times
Editor’s note: Unless individuals hold positions of public trust or there is imminent danger of harm to the public (e.g., active shooter) or there is an exceptional circumstance, suspects arrested/charged will not be named/identified until there is a conviction or a plea deal is taken. In this instance, the suspect held a position as a teacher and is thus named.
A jury trial began on Wednesday in the Pitkin County District Courtroom for a former Basalt preschool teacher accused of allegedly having inappropriate interactions with two children.
Christopher Tedstone, 43, faces three class 3 felony counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust after authorities say Tedstone groomed and inappropriately touched two children at Basalt area day-care center Growing Years School where he was employed as a supervisor from December 2019 until July 2022. A conviction of the charges could carry four to 12 years in prison as well as up to $750,000 in fines.
After a jury was selected late Wednesday afternoon, District Attorney Virginia Sorrell gave opening statements by informing the jury that no visible evidence or DNA would be provided in this trial, but instead, they would be hearing testimony from one of the children, now 6, who was allegedly sexually assaulted. Sorrell further outlined the allegations against Tedstone, referring to the defendant as a “trusted and well-known adult.”
“Everything seemed like a loving, trusting relationship,” Sorrel said. “Sometimes, things don’t stay a secret but instead are eventually pushed out into the light.”
Defense Lawyer Nick James opened his statements with a quote from the child expected to testify, which was taken from a recording that preceded the alleged assault: “My mom doesn’t want me to be happy.” James argued that there was no disclosure of abuse within the first interview, which the defense played a section of for jurors to watch.
According to James, within the 101 days between the first and second interviews, the alleged child victim was influenced by their mother who was “uncomfortable” with a 43-year-old man being a preschool teacher.
James further alleged that Adele Melnick, who served as the director of Growing Years School at the time of Tedstone’s employment, did not immediately take action after the first accusations were made by the child’s mother in May 2022 and instead only responded after pressure from community members the following July.
Melnick was the first witness called to the stand on Wednesday, but due to time constraints, she only heard questions from the Prosecutor Wes Stokes. Melnick was asked to confirm dates and details concerning Tedstone’s employment, such as the age ranging he taught, how many at a time and whether or not there were times when Tedstone was known to be left alone with children.
Tedstone was fired on July 15, 2022, which according to Melnick, is when she contacted law enforcement along with the Department of Human Services and the child advocacy center River Bridge.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m. on Thursday and will begin with the defense’s cross-examination.
To reach Jonson Kuhn, email him at jkuhn@aspentimes.com.
