Former Burlington School District teacher's aide appears in court on child sexual assault charges

 

BURLINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Racine County investigators say the victims of a former Burlington School District teacher's aide charged with sexual assault are 10-year-old sisters. 

Fifty-seven-year-old Daniel Powers appeared in court Wednesday morning, May 11 for a preliminary hearing where further unsettling details of the case were released. 

Powers was accused by a parent of inappropriately touching students who attend Dyer Elementary School. 

After finding probable cause, investigators charged Powers with three counts of repeated sexual assault of a child and three counts of misconduct in office. 

Wednesday, his defense attorneys made an argument to dismiss all charges against Powers due to a lack of specific terms used by the victims. After discussion, one of the charges against Powers was dismissed, but the other two remain. 

Andrew Willis, an Investigator with the Racine County Sheriff's Office was called to the stand, providing even further disturbing details of statements from the young victims, "She stated the touching of her chest and back were underneath her clothing if she had a sports bra on, it was underneath her sports bra. And the touching of her ankles and calves were underneath her clothing as well."  

After a motion from the defense, the judge modified Powers' bond to $10,000 cash. 

Powers is due back in court on May 18.