Brentwood Volunteer Firefighter Slams Allegations
BRENTWOOD (KDKA) -- A volunteer firefighter in Brentwood is responding to allegations that he inappropriately touched two young boys.
Jerome Kirsch was released from the Allegheny County Jail Monday night. He's facing charges of endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, involuntary deviant sexual assault, criminal solicitation, indecent assault and indecent exposure.
"The allegations brought forth towards me are untrue," Kirsch said. "I have two children of my own and the thought I would have of somebody doing this to my own children – this is something I just couldn't do to a kid."
The boys, the son of his former girlfriend and a friend, recently came forward with the allegations.
"It's devastating. I can't spend Christmas day my children," says Kirsch.
Police say the two victims were interviewed individually. Kirsch believes the allegations aren't about inappropriate behavior at all, but a child custody battle with his former girlfriend.
It's a battle that started just before the allegations were lodged. His attorney says there's no physical evidence to support the claims.
"These allegations are more than three years old. There's no physical evidence. No DNA. Just word of mouth," Blaine Jones, Kirsch's attorney, said. "It comes down to creditability."
Kirsch faces a preliminary hearing on Jan. 5, 2011.
