Hamilton Schools not notified of student's child sexual assault charges

Posted: Nov. 6, 2012

Seventeen-year-old Daniel Koepke faces four felony charges after allegedly sexually assaulting his 6-year-old cousin over the summer.

He was charged in Washington County Circuit Court on July 17.Charges include first-degree child sexual assault, exposing genitals or pubic area, causing a child to view/listen to sexual activity and incest. Yesterday, Monday, Nov. 5, however, was the first time that the Hamilton School District had heard of it.

Koepke is a senior at Hamilton High School and lives on Majestic Heights Trail, right around the corner from Woodside Elementary. Koepke has been released under specific bond conditions, according to the alleged victim’s mother.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office has not yet returned our phone calls seeking more information about Koepke’s case and the conditions of the bond.

Last week, the alleged victim’s mother – who lives in Washington County – began contacting area news outlets, including Lake Country Publications, because “I want all those kids at that elementary school, on his street and at the high school to be safe.”

“Late Monday afternoon, (the Washington County District Attorney’s office) did send us some information related to the bond release condition after our Waukesha County Police liaison requested it,” said Hamilton School’s Public Information Coordinator Denise Dorn Lindberg. Earlier that afternoon, the School District reviewed Koepke’s charges for the first time after Living Lake Country passed along a copy of the criminal complaint.

“It is a legitimate concern,” said Lt. Torin Misko, director of police services for the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, who works at the Sussex substation.
Since seeing the official charges and requesting the bond’s conditional release details, the school worked with Waukesha police to develop a course of action and “immediately put restrictions and individual supervision in place,” according to Lindberg.

Lindberg add that all Hamilton schools have secure and monitored entrances/exits. Playground supervisors and staff members have been directed to be “extra vigilant,” she said. 

The Sheriff’s Department has also arranged for more patrol in those areas. If parents or members of the community have any questions or concerns, they should contact the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Koepke was babysitting the victim and her siblings July 12 when he asked the young girl to undress and watch while he pulled down his pants and touched the child inappropriately with his fingers. He then fondled himself, according to the complaint. Koepke allegedly told the victim not to tell her mother or she would be sent to the “naughty corner.”

The complaint said that the child told her mom what happened because she “knew it was the right thing to tell” and “even if someone tells you to keep a secret, (my mommy) told me if they did something bad I need to tell.” Her mother immediately told her family members and contacted the police.

The complaint says Koepke's story changed several times when questioned by police, and that he admitted to being untruthful and minimizing his actions. The complaint added that he stated that he knew what he did was wrong but he was “sexually aroused and was unable to control himself.”

Koepke’s arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 15 in Washington County Circuit Court.

This is a developing story, and more information will be available at LivingLakeCountry.com and in next week’s Sussex Sun.