I realize that everyone is granted the right of due process, but if this is true, I want this scum bag out of our neighborhood. MOVE!!!!

I got a call from Hamilton's robo - calling system, but all they said was we were going to receive a letter that we should read about an incident in Washington Co., and that if we had questions after reading that letter, we should call the school. There were absolutely no details of what the incident was. If there is someone sexually assaulting young girls, I would like to know right away instead of waiting 3 - 4 days for a letter in the mail. What about the high school or middle school girls? Until I stumbled on this article in the Patch, I didn't have any idea what was going on. You would think the school dist. could have handled this a little better.

Mark Belling broke this story late last week based on a call from a parent.

Lot of good that village ordinance did to keep him away from schools and playgrounds. Nothing like a feel good measure to think you are secure! Just like banning law abiding citizens from carrying in the village buildings.

He is no longer a Student at Hamilitan High...that is what my recording said...

Can someone who received the robo call, give me a call at 414 937 5300. I want to know what it said. Thanks Brendan O'Brien

I also received a call last night from Hamilton's robo calling system stating nothing more then a letter would be received about an incident that occured in Washington Co. and that the student invovled has been expelled from Hamilton High School. After listening to the message I immediately sat down with my 2 children who are Hamilton students ( 1 is a Sophmore & 1 is a Junior ) who told me that they knew nothing about it until today as every kid in school was talking about what had happened. What's more disturbing is that our children knew about before we did which means we as parents did not have an opportunity to sit down and talk with them and warn them ! I am very disappointed that only a robo call was received which tells us parents nothing about what is going on. Thank goodness both my children were able to give me a name ( David Koepke ) which I googled and read a few very disturbing articles on. It's truly sad and frightening to think that the county had these charges on him since July and did not notify the school district . This young men has been at school everyday around our elementary school, middle school and high school daughters. I feel for the young 6 year old victim in the case and I hope this young man gets what he deserves and not just a slap on the wrist !

My daughter is a student at Hamilton and saw this student there yesterday.

His name is Daniel Koepke not David. He does have a 15 year old brother who looks a lot like him and goes to HHS so maybe there was a mix up. My daughter goes to the HS and saw him earlier this week with some type of escort but he was not in school yesterday.

There was a call Tuesday evening stating that a letter was sent home which it was however it was very vague. There was another call last night saying something about him no longer being a student at
HHS. If parents have questions they really should call the school.

Well said Jennifer - I was just going to add that. Dan was not in school yesterday. My son goes to HHS as well. His brother David is getting teased quite a bit from what I have heard. In this country we are innocent until proven guilty. I know the evidence doesn't sound good - but we all don't know the facts. We only know what the newspaper has told us. If you look up Dan, he has been an honor roll student. Unfortunately, people in our society make mistakes - however, it is not fair of us to grab a torch and a pitch fork and rally the troops. He deserves his day in court and his brother is entitle to go to school and get his education without being harassed. I'm sure this has torn a family a part - they are entitle to their privacy and ability to deal with the pain and emotions they are feeling as well (while the police and court system deal with this). Also, if you want to blame anyone for the lack of advisement on this issue blame the police and the court system - the school was informed and I'm sure some of the kids overheard and the rumor mill began - thus the school probably didn't even get a chance to get news out before all of us heard. For now, I am keeping them all in my prayers.

I believe his name is Dan not David. But either way. Sick, Sick, Sick

S, I think your kids gave you the wrong name. Hopefully there isn't a David Koepke who is getting his name smeared now. The article I read said he assaulted his 6 year old cousin. Do you really think he's going to come stalking kids on a busy school playground?

People make mistakes...agreed...however, every 17 year old boy KNOWS this is wrong and this should just not be brushed off as a "mistake"!

Agreed - if he is found guilty he should be punished and given the help that he needs. My point is people are rushing to name calling and grabbing the noose and want him out of their neighborhood when he hasn't been found guilty. As I mentioned I am in no way shape condoning his behavior - but look above one mom has his brother's name labeled and has misinformation - how much misinformation will cloud this case if people don't let the court system do it's job. Everyone now has preconceived notions about this young man, when maybe they don't even know him and we all certainly don't know what happened other than what is on C-cap and in the newspaper.

He already was tried and was found guilty. Refer to the Lake Country Reporter's article from November 6th.

Well, we'll see what happens on November 15th

Exactly - as I mentioned I pray for them all. My heart breaks for all that have to experience any thing like this.

But I believe in the justice system and that it isn't appropriate for all these accusations, when we weren't there.

If you request the public record police report, this is what you would find out: he sexually molested a five year old child. He sodemized her and ejaculated on her. Facts that Daniel Koepke admitted to law enforcement and to the victim's family. In September, The school was notified of the incident, including the public court record stating the charges, by a citizen and apparently the school took no action. Also given Daniel's actions, it appears to professionals, that this child was not his first victim, however no one else has been brave enough to come forward. Yes, you should be worried about your children, because if Daniel Koepke, has the opportunity, he will do it again. He is a Sexual Predator and has no self control!

Well said Sarah. I am completely on board with you. This conversation is proof that a little information to some people, can be dangerous.
Too many people jump to conclusions without all the facts.
The damage is already done. Nothing can change that. I too pray for the families that are directly involved and can find peace.
This young man is under a microscope right now, I don't see him as a threat. It seems our community has already hung him. It's the unknown sexual predators that concern me.
As a parent of 3 girls, predators have been constant concern of mine. Its important not only to teach them right from wrong, but also how to defend themselves, at ANY age!

Was he waved into adult court, or why is his name all over the news for charges while he is still a minor?

WHY did the courts not alert the area in which this Daniel Koepke lives? I live very close to the home of this individual, my children and their grandmother visited this home in September for a Rummage Sale. My children could've been exposed to him. Whats worse are all the children IN that subdivision that have been exposed from JULY to NOVEMBER when all of this FINALLY came out! It makes me sick to think of all the children that could've and may have been harmed by this individual! More should have been done to protect the children near him and instead nothing was done until 4 months later! Why?

DJ, how do you expect a five year old defend herself? Many adult woman live with an abusive husband and don't defend themselves. I agree that we need to educate our children, but we also need to protect our children. That is exactly what we plan on doing if this kid comes north of Plainview.

Okay seriously? Yes he did something wrong. Does that give you all the right to rip on schools and EVERYTHING that was in his life? Hamilton High School is a GREAT school and would have notified everyone had the police informed them sooner. It was not their fault nor do they promote this type of behavior. Daniel, while he mad a terrible decision, was an outstanding guy with a bright future and was very intelligent. I don't understand why he did this but he admitted to doing it at least and is going to take his punishment. It's not like he purposely "Searched out little kids". It was a brief moment and you all need to stop ripping on his family as well as the school. His family, although i've never met them, is more then likely a wonderful family that can't believe he did this either so leave them alone.

Hey, i graduated HHS last year and knew Dan quite well. He was a good student, on the robotics team, very involved. A very nice kid. You all need to stop bashing on him like he's scum. I am in NO way saying that what he did is in the least way excusable but what i am saying is that people make mistakes. And none of you have any right to make assumptions of his life choices, past or present. Also, the school informed all of the parents as soon as they were informed. Dan was charged in Washington County so news did not travel which is ridiculous but that is what happened. I traveled with him to Minneapolis and St. Louis and never got the vibe he was a bad guy. I, unlike all of you, knew him personally and am deeply saddened that this happened but we all make mistakes and no one really knows any reason as to why he did it. When i was a freshman, i was sexually assaulted. The guy lived in almost the same neighborhood as Dan. You didn't hear about that, did you? More was done this time to warn everyone than back then. Just thought I'd be the voice of reason here.

Well said Anonymous ...

Anonymous, DJ, Sarah. While we live in a country of innocent until proven guilty and Dan may have given off a "good guy vibe" the reality is that he has admitted to doing something that is absolutely unacceptable. Not to mention, I can think of a lot of people that gave off a good guy vibe while being the opposite (Gacy, Dahmer should ring a bell here in WI). While a ton of blame really needs to go to the county DA that did not properly disclose information, the families that live close have a right to be upset. There is a big difference between making a "mistake" and sexually assaulting a 6 year old. Moreover using his position as a trusted family member and babysitter to his advantage. I wish the VICTIMS family the best in recovering from something that will damage the rest of their lives. I hope that Daniels family can recover from this as they as well have a tough road to recovery. But when it comes to the admitted perpetrator of this crime, he deserves whatever punishment he gets from the courts and public opinion.

It makes me sick to think he was a babysitter to other kids! To Anonymous, DJ and Sarah, if you want to take the road of innocent when he ADMITTED he did it, I dare you to ask him to babysit your kids!

Check out the app for convicted sexual offenders in Sussex - we do have quite a few - and they are mostly around Main Street and Maple Avenue. The ratio has gone down quite a bit because a lot of them have moved. I would love to see an "app" for drunk drivers, domestic abusers, animal abusers and speeders that speed over 15 mph - because these people too can create victims and financial/emotional distress. Think for once if your child does something horrific - a sexual crime or a homicide by intoxication or hurts someone in their car. You will suffer the same emotions as losing a loved one. That child that did the crime is still your child. My point is have an ounce of empathy for all parties that are involved. This young man will be punished.

The Family of the Accused Held a RUMMAGE SALE selling all sorts of kids stuff. The accused was on the grounds around people and children during the sale. They may be hurting but they sure arn't protecting others that visit their home when NO ONE had a clue. If my child were to do something of this nature, I sure as heck would not be inviting the world to my doorstep!

Agreed that would not be the appropriate thing to do.

David time for a realality check. Dont blame others fo ruining your family, blame the person who did this to a five year old. To minimalize what he did by calling it a mistake is ignorance! He made a choice. He chose todo this terrible thing when he knew it was wrong. He chose to lie to the police, because he knew
what he did was wrong. You say this should not affect the rest of HIS liife? What about the life of the little girl. She didnt have a choice, did she? Shame on you!!!

Check out the latest articles in the Patch and Living Lake Country (links below)– Daniel plead “no contest” to two of his felony charges, but the judge dismissed the other two because:
"The court recognizes that there is some disagreement regarding who initiated the removal of clothes," Gonring said, to audible gasps from members of the victim's family, who were in court."

The victim was 5 years old. How in the world can a judge throw out two of the felony charges on that basis?!

I know a number of families in Daniel’s neighborhood and they are praying that he’s removed from society for a long time. And if hat doesn’t happen, they’re hoping that the family moves far away from Woodside Elementary. Honestly… how could they not move? Whether it's right or not, this event is what everyone thinks of when they see them.

http://sussex.patch.com/articles/sussex-teenager-pleads-no-contest-in-alleged-sexual-assault
http://www.livinglakecountry.com/sussexsun/179490021.html

I live in Majestic Heights. And every day I hope that Daniel is not only removed from our neighborhood (and never to return) but I hope he is kept away from all children.

Child sex predators are monsters.