BELMONT, N.C. — A former daycare teacher at First United Methodist Church of Belmont is facing several charges tied to allegations of sex offenses involving multiple children, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Monday that the investigation into O’Shay Leeper is ongoing, and additional charges could be possible if more alleged victims come forward.
Police first arrested him in May, and the investigation appears to be expanding.
Leeper faced a judge Tuesday.
“This is a case that involves multiple children at a daycare that had made allegations,” prosecutor Stephanie Hamlin said.
There are no details about the accusers, but Leeper faces four counts of indecent liberties with a minor and three counts of indecent exposure, along with other charges linked to the investigation.
A search of Leeper’s phone led to the latest charge.
“It’s an unknown child, and this is based on a photograph that was seen on his phone during the extraction,” Hamlin said.
The prosecutor said investigators found graphic images on Leeper’s phone after executing a search warrant at his home and analyzing his electronic devices.
She said the case will soon reach a point where the state must offer a plea deal. Initial plea offers are often weighted heavily against a defendant.
In this case, prosecutors left open the possibility of additional charges after a plea offer.
“This plea will not state anything to the effect that we wouldn’t pursue any other charges if any other children came forward,” Hamlin said.
Leeper no longer works at the Child Development Center, church leaders said.
The church released a statement that read: “The safety and well-being of every child in our care remains our highest priority. As soon as a concern was brought to us, we reported it to law enforcement authorities.”
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
