Skip to content
Crime & Justice
Link copied to clipboard

Ex-lifeguard at Philly pool charged with unlawfully touching girl, 16

A former lifeguard supervisor at the John B. Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park has been charged with indecently touching a 16-year-old girl who worked as a lifeguard there.

Police said Michael Daniels worked as a lifeguard supervisor at the John Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park.
Police said Michael Daniels worked as a lifeguard supervisor at the John Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park.Read morePhiladelphia Police

A former lifeguard supervisor at the John B. Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park has been charged with indecently touching a 16-year-old girl who worked as a lifeguard there.

Michael Daniels, 35, of the 5100 block of Delancey Street, in West Philadelphia, was arrested Monday on charges of indecent assault, unlawful contact, and corruption of a minor, police said Wednesday.

Daniels began working as a seasonal employee for the city's Parks & Recreation Department in June 2013, police spokesperson Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said at a news conference. Daniels, who was the girl's supervisor, is accused of touching her without her consent several times from mid-July until she reported the alleged assaults Aug. 22, Kinebrew said.

The unlawful touching allegedly occurred on the pool grounds at 4231 Lansdowne Dr.

Daniels' lawyer, Carmen Nasuti III, said Wednesday that he and his client "completely deny these allegations."

"My understanding is there was a police presence at the pool every day," Nasuti said, adding that he intends to interview other coworkers and supervisors at the pool.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said in a statement Wednesday that her department "is deeply troubled that this individual worked in the system and takes this allegation very seriously. … Upon learning from the Philadelphia Police Department that he was under investigation, he was immediately relieved of his duties and has since been terminated."

She said her department is "undergoing a thorough review of our hiring practices" and will make any changes necessary to ensure that seasonal employees follow proper guidelines and procedures.

Daniels, who is in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail, faces a Sept. 20 preliminary hearing.

Daniels also worked Aug. 20 and 21 at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center at 740 S. 17th St. in Southwest Center City, police said.

Kinebrew urged anyone who may be aware of any other alleged victims to call 911 or the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article reflected incorrect information supplied by police.