Second Report at Peer After-School Care Under Investigation

A second report of possible inappropriate behavior has emerged at the municipal after-school care facility Plons in Peer, Belgium, prompting a police investigation into the allegations. The city confirmed the new report after an initial complaint was filed in early August, according to VRT NWS.

Background and First Report

The first report of possible boundary-crossing behavior was received by the city of Peer in early August 2026, concerning an incident at the Plons facility during summer vacation care. A parent of a child in the vacation program filed a complaint with the city and simultaneously filed a police complaint, as HLN reported. The police subsequently launched an investigation.

“The first report about a possible incident of boundary-crossing behavior came in early August,” said Steven Matheï, mayor of Peer (CD&V). “It concerned a possible incident at the after-school care facility Plons. That facility is organized at 5 locations in the city during the school year, but during vacation there is only care in the center.”

Second Report and Investigation

A second report of possible inappropriate behavior has since been received by the city, and parents were referred to the police. According to TVL, the second complaint involves possible sexual abuse of a 3-year-old boy. The mother is coming forward publicly because she believes the city did not act quickly enough, as reported in an HLN video interview.

The public prosecutor’s office is conducting an investigation into the allegations. The toddler was allegedly assaulted in early August, according to his mother’s testimony. She stated that she is coming forward herself because, in her view, the city did not intervene quickly enough.

City Response and Measures

The city of Peer has taken precautionary measures while the investigation continues. “From the moment of the report, this was immediately taken seriously and the city of Peer provides its full cooperation to the competent authorities,” Matheï said. “At the same time, we have taken the necessary actions within our operations. The situation was immediately evaluated and extra attention was requested for supervision and vigilance.”

Immediately after the first complaint, the duty schedule at the facility was adjusted. The contracts of two people who may be involved have since expired. The case file was also forwarded to the Opgroeien agency, the Flemish childcare regulator, with whom the city consulted on next steps.

The city sent an email to all parents of children using the facility, informing them about the situation, as reported by Internetgazet. The mayor and the general director of the city stated they maintain confidence in the team leader of the childcare facility, asserting that the individual has always acted correctly toward all involved.

“We have provided our full cooperation to the investigation,” Matheï told HLN. “At the same time, we naturally also took a number of precautionary measures to ensure that all children can continue to come to the facility in a safe manner.”

Facility Operations

Plons operates at five locations in the city during the school year: Grote-Brogel and Erpekom, Kleine-Brogel, Peer-centrum, Linde and Wauberg, and Wijchmaal. During vacation periods, only the center location operates, as detailed in OpenNieuws reporting on the investigation.

The facility has remained open throughout the investigation, with precautionary measures in place. “Meanwhile, the childcare facility has continued with the measures taken, but in recent days we noticed that there was unrest,” the mayor acknowledged.

Analysis and Implications

This case highlights the challenges municipalities face when responding to sensitive allegations involving childcare facilities. The tension between the city’s stated response and the mother’s public criticism underscores the emotional stakes for families involved. The second report compounds the seriousness of the situation and raises questions about the adequacy of initial response protocols.

The investigation by police and the review by the Opgroeien agency will be critical in determining what occurred and whether additional safeguards are needed. For the broader childcare sector in Flanders, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of swift, transparent, and thorough responses to any allegations of boundary-crossing behavior.

What to Watch For

As the police investigation continues, key questions remain: What exactly happened in each of the reported incidents? Were the two reports related to the same individuals or separate incidents? And what additional measures might the city implement to restore confidence among parents?

The outcome of the investigation and the Opgroeien agency’s review will likely shape both the legal consequences and the future operations of the Plons facility. Parents and the broader community in Peer will be watching closely for further developments.