Case Against Nanny Goes National

SOUTH HERO, Vt. -- Vermont State Police say their case against accused child sex offender nanny Donald Shepherd is growing to a national scale, encompassing various cities across the country where he worked watching people's children.

Detectives in the state's Unit for Special Investigations told WPTZ.com Shepherd, now 23, worked as a nanny since he was 18 years old and often advertised his services on nanny sites to go from job to job. Police said he worked in 16 cities across the country, spanning from Oak Harbor, Wash., in the west to Washington, D.C. in the east.

Police said he used various nanny placement Web sites and agencies to get the jobs, adding that some of the agencies have reported suspicions that he may have pedophile tendencies.

Detectives also told WPTZ.com they have been in touch with Shepherd's father, who worked as a clown at children's parties in Florida, and said he is cooperating with the investigation. Police, who will not name Shepherd's father due to his cooperation with the investigation, said Shepherd's father denied claims by Shepherd that his father took him to children's events, where Shepherd photographed children.

Police said they expect more molestation cases to surface surrounding Shepherd and are in the process of reaching out to law enforcement agencies across the country.

Shepherd was arrested last week and faces a slew of child sex charges in connection with the alleged molestation of a young boy be was watching in South Hero.

Last week, detectives said they were investigating whether Shepherd abused other children in Vermont, but said Wednesday they do not believe he molested any other children in Vermont.

"The fact that he was actively seeking young children is what's most disturbing about this," said Vermont State Police Detective Ben Katz last week.

Shepherd told officers he uses several aliases including: Parker Wilder, Donald Shepherd, Douglas Shepherd and Jonathan Shepherd. There could be other aliases.

Several online vigilantes have been tracking Shepherd's Internet activities since 2006. One Web site claims Shepherd used the screen name "emovocals" and is a member of several Web sites for pedophiles. The Web site also warns that Shepherd works as a nanny, advertising his services online.

Shepherd sought work in places where he'd have access to children, according to investigators. He applied for a job as a substitute teacher in South Hero's Folsom School. Shepherd was placed on a list of subs. But Shepherd was never called, according to the school superintendent. Shepherd had to pass a background check for the job.

Detectives seized a computer and electronics from Shepherd. Investigators with the state's computer crime unit will review the evidence and Shepherd's online history.

Police said they expect more charges once forensic examinations of Shepherd's digital devices are complete.

Previous Stories:

June 18, 2009: Male Nanny Pleads Not Guilty To Child Sex Charges