Bruce Rouse - Pedophile even abused infants

Rickert found even more suspected victims. They were all between infancy and about 11 years old. Rickert believes Rouse's molestations had been going on from at least 1998 to this summer.

San Jose detectives are on a grim, but determined, hunt to find more young girls who may have been molested over the last decade by retired businessman Bruce Rouse. They have already identified seven and suspect there are four others — at least.

And none of it would have been uncovered without the courage of a little girl and her younger sister, police said.

"As a result of their bravery, many more victims are identified. Maybe other victims will have the courage to come forward now," said detective John Rickert on Thursday. "A lot of kids are afraid and never come forward and say that they have been molested."

Rouse, 60, was arrested last month soon after a Chula Vista couple told local police that Rouse — a family friend — may have molested both of their daughters, ages 10 and 7.

The older daughter had come home from a trip this summer and told her younger sister that Rouse had molested her, police said. The younger sister said that she, too, was molested the summer before when she visited Rouse. Together they told their parents, according to police.

With a search warrant, police went to Rouse's home on San Anselmo Way in San Jose.

There, police said, the married and retired security consultant apparently had hidden photographic and written evidence of molestations of other young girls, including one infant.

Reaching out to people who were close to Rouse, Rickert found even more suspected victims. They were all between infancy and about 11 years old. Rickert believes Rouse's molestations had been going on from at least 1998 to this summer.

Rouse is suspected of molesting some of the girls when they slept over at his home, while his wife was away, according to police. He convinced the girls that his house was haunted, so they slept alone in a sleeping bag in the floor of his bedroom. Other times he molested family friends on camping trips, Rickert said.

Rouse, who is being held without bail, is set for a plea Oct. 15.

He is charged with three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 13.

Anyone who suspects that Rouse may have molested their children is asked to immediately call Rickert at (408) 277-4102. Anonymous tipsters may contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP.