A German police officer demonstrates the functions of a patrol cruiser March 16, 2024. An American employee of the Netzaberg child development center in Grafenwoehr, Germany, was arrested by German authorities April 28, 2026. (Albert Morel/U.S. Air Force)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — An American employee at the primary child care center serving Defense Department families in Grafenwoehr was arrested at the facility last week, according to German and U.S. authorities.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, was taken into German custody on April 28 at the on-base child development center in the Netzaberg housing area, Upper Palatinate police said Tuesday.
Authorities searched his workplace around 3:30 p.m. before accompanying him to his residence in a neighboring county, Corinna Wild, a spokesperson for the Oberpfalz police, told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday.
Authorities have not publicly identified the nature of the accusations against the man. An officer with the Eschenbach police station described the case as “extremely sensitive” and declined to provide further details when contacted by Stars and Stripes.
The Netzaberg Child Development Center provides full-time, part-time and hourly care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, according to its website.
Parents were informed Friday through a notice posted on the door of the center.
“We are aware that German police detained an employee. … This is an ongoing investigation, and we are fully cooperating with them and relevant regulatory agencies,” the notice said.
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria officials provided the same statement in an email to Stars and Stripes when asked about the arrest.
“The safety and health of our entire community, especially our children, are our highest priorities,” garrison spokesperson Kayla Overton said Friday.
Under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, German authorities generally retain jurisdiction in cases involving U.S. personnel and Defense Department civilians stationed in the country, meaning they are subject to German legal code and privacy laws.
A German police unit in Weiden in der Oberpfalz is leading the investigation and working closely with the garrison and other authorities, Wild said.
Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this article.