Preliminary Hearing Set for Campbell Nanny Accused of Molestation

John Walker, the nanny from Campbell accused of molesting 10 young girls will be in court again.

The preliminary hearings, the initial stage where the judge evaluates the testimony and whether there's enough evidence to bind the defendant until trial, has been scheduled for Sept. 17, 18 and 19 at the Santa Clara County Superior Court, Dept. 24 at 8:30 a.m.

"It's like a mini-trial without a jury," Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Clarissa Hamilton.

The case began with eight alleged victims and grew to 10, but Hamilton said, "we are not alleging any new victims at this point in time."

The crimes, according to court documents, took place between November 2009 and March 2012.

Walker worked as a nanny in Campbell for more than a decade and was known by the children he watched as "Mr. Johnny."

Walker, 41, has been charged with a total of 15 counts, including:

• Nine counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14;
• Two counts of oral copulation of a child under the age of 10;
• One count of possession of child pornography.

It is also alleged that Walker would have the young girls video chat and visit inappropriate websites with him online, the court reports said.

"He's looking at 195 years to life for these charges," Hamilton said.

The case began when an alleged victim told their parent about the inappropriate behavior that was taking place while Walker was watching them, Campbell Police Sgt. Gary Berg said. It was then that the first parent contacted the police department.

 on suspicion of child molestation. The case has .

Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Campbell Patch asked both Campbell Police Capt. Charley Adams as well as Deputy DA Clarissa Hamilton what tips/advice they would give to parents and caregivers to minimizing the chances of something like this happening to them.

Here is what they said.

Adams: First let me say that the only imprecate online behavior we are aware of related to the victims occurred under the direction and supervision of Mr. Walker. 

On a separate note from this case, the Police Department advocates open communication between parents and their children, and an active involvement in their online usage and experience. The best chance parents have to keep their children safe online is communicate and set boundaries for their children, and to be aware of the sites they are visiting and the people they are interacting with.

Hamilton: Certainly, check with childcare licensing board to see if there has ever been a discipline against the caregiver. All people who provide childcare are licensed.

The problems with these types of cases is that people do things in private. The victims don’t talk about it for one reason or another. These parents were caught completely unaware. Check them (caregivers) out, have detailed questions and go with your gut. Unfortunately in this case, that didn’t work out.

Follow our continued coverage of this case here.

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