OLDHAM CO., Ky. (WHAS11) – A man and a woman were arrested on June 12 after a complaint of sexual assault involving a juvenile and are facing charges.
Through an investigation, conducted by the Oldham County Police Department, a married couple, Declan McAuley, 54, and Ariadne (Connor) McAuley, 35, is accused of sexual acts on at least seven occasions involving the juvenile. Oldham County police said it happened between Aug. 11, 2017, and Dec. 10, 2017, at the McAuley’s Crestwood home.
"Especially crimes like this that occur in homes behind closed doors are impossible to detect sometimes without someone getting involved, whether it be a friend, a neighbor, a relative, a coworker," Oldham County Police Major Neil Johnson said.
The McAuleys own the Fleur-De-Lis Ballet Academy, located in Louisville in the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center. Police said the juvenile was a student and employee at their ballet school.
"A person under the age of 18 cannot give consent in a situation that they're dealing with someone that's in a position of authority or control - emergency service workers, teachers, employers, pastors, things like that," Johnson said.
Ariadne McAuley had previously served as the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts as the chair of its dance department.
“Ms. McAuley worked on a contract basis at the Governor’s School for the Arts without incident during the summer program from 2013 to 2016. We have strict protocols and standards in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students," Governor's School for the Arts director Nick Covault said in a statement to WHAS11.
Declan McAuley faces 26 counts on eight different charges and Ariadne McAuley faces 23 counts on five different changes. Those charges include multiple counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree. They were booked in the Oldham County Detention Facility on $25,000 bond each. Both are now out on bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Police want to hear from you if you have any information regarding this case - call Oldham County Police at (502) 222-1300.
EDITOR'S NOTE: It was originally reported the last name of the married couple was McCauley. The Oldham County Police Department later made a correction, saying their last name was McAuley and not McCauley.
The story has also been updated to reflect the number of charges that both are facing.