The Child Development Center at Sagamihara Housing Area near Camp Zama, Japan, is pictured Sept. 18, 2024. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO — The Army Criminal Investigation Division is probing an allegation of abuse at a Child Development Center affiliated with U.S. Army Garrison Japan just outside Tokyo.

A CID spokesman confirmed that an investigation is underway into an allegation that arose at the facility at Sagamihara Family Housing Area, about 2½ miles from Camp Zama, the U.S. Army headquarters in Japan.

CID spokesman Thomas Hamilton III, in an email to Stars and Stripes on Tuesday, said he could provide no further details while the investigation is underway.

Parents with children enrolled at the center were notified of the investigation by email Tuesday from Eric Hill, director of Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation at Camp Zama.

His email, a copy of which was obtained by Stars and Stripes, offers few details.

Neither Hill nor Hamilton disclosed the nature of the abuse allegation.

Hill’s email said CID had communicated directly with families and that per standard policy, “some personnel have been temporarily removed from their duties and contact with children as the investigation is carried out.”

Hill declined further comment, citing the open investigation, when reached by phone Wednesday by Stars and Stripes.

CDCs are “age-appropriate environments” that prepare children to master life skills through hands-on activities and learning environments, according to the Sagamihara center’s website. Its activities and programs are available for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years old.