Ste. Genevieve man accused in day care molestations waives preliminary hearing

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. (AP) -- An eastern Missouri man accused of molesting children at a family-run day care center faces arraignment in October after waiving his preliminary hearing Wednesday.

William Huck Sr., 60, is accused of molesting eight children at the home-based day care center operated by his wife in Ste. Genevieve, about 50 miles south of St. Louis. But police say Huck has confessed to molesting 40 children over the past three decades.

Arraignment will be Oct. 16.

Huck's preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday was delayed for more than 90 minutes as he considered a plea agreement, Ste. Genevieve County prosecutor Timothy Inman said. But he said Huck did not accept the deal.

Defense attorney Mary Elizabeth Ott declined comment.

Huck was arrested in March. He faces charges that include statutory sodomy, child molestation and sex abuse. The alleged victims included a 15-month-old boy and other children under the age of 5 years. The abuse allegedly happened during times when Huck's wife was away from the center. He used fear to manipulate at least one child, according to police.

Authorities have said Huck's wife was unaware of the abuse. She is not charged.

Huck, a retired railroad worker, had no previous criminal record.

The day care business was not licensed by Missouri because the couple watched fewer than five children at any given time. State officials said licensing is required only for centers with five or more children.

Huck is being held on $1 million bond at the Ste. Genevieve County jail.