A former Maple Valley daycare worker pleaded not guilty on June 13to child sex offenses.

Joseph Hefner of Federal Way, 25, was charged with first degree rape of a child, first degree child molestation, and communication with a minor for immoral purposes after he was arrested May 31.

He was recently an employee at Discovery Playtown in Maple Valley, which is where he met the alleged victims. According to an affidavit of probable cause, the two minors were both less than 12-years-old at the time of the incidents, which happened between Jan. 1, 2022 to May 2, 2024.

According to prosecutors, Hefner additionally held a previous juvenile conviction for child molestation in the first degree from a 2012 case, and was required to register as sex offender until 2021, when he became a legal adult.

Hefner’s record was sealed in 2021, allowing him to apply for work at Discovery Playtown.

The Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families suspended Discovery Playtown’s license on June 5 to investigate the issue further.

On June 13, the King County Superior Court denied Hefner’s motion for release and to reduce the bail down from $500,000.

The court scheduled Hefner’s next hearing for June 25 and Hefner’s jury trial for Aug. 5, 2024.

The charges against Hefer are only allegations, and they are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.