Day-care worker pleads innocent to new molesting charge

Charges against a Columbia Falls day-care worker accused of molesting two young girls in his care have been amended to include a third victim.

Pete Anthony Ampudia, 49, pleaded innocent in Flathead County District Court on Thursday to an additional count of felony sexual assault.

Prosecutors allege Ampudia inappropriately touched the third child, a 4-year-old girl who attended the Little Engine That Could day care, between December 2007 and April 2008.

Ampudia, who pleaded not guilty in August to molesting two 5-year-old girls who attended the day care, now is awaiting trial in June on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of felony sexual assault, all felonies.

According to authorities, Ampudia became a licensed caregiver at the day care, which he and his wife have operated out of their Sweebee Lane home since August 1996, in September 1999 and became involved in its day-to-day operation.

The alleged abuse occurred during or immediately after nap times, according to court records.

Two girls disclosed the alleged abuse to their mothers, who notified the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

Ampudia, however, maintains his innocence and his attorney has said she expects the case to go to trial.

He is free on formal house arrest and living at home, where his wife still operates the day care, provided he not be there between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. or when any children are present.

If convicted of all charges, Ampudia, who has no criminal history, faces a maximum penalty of 500 years in prison and a $200,000 fine.

According to Licensing Bureau of the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, an inspection of the Little Engine That Could day care in 2002 revealed deficiencies in infant care and inspections in 2005 and 2005 found the day care was caring for more children than were allowed by regulation.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com