A no-show in court, lewd conduct suspect is sought

An Orange County judge has issued an arrest warrant for a piano teacher about to go on trial for alleged lewd conduct with an 8-year-old girl, authorities said Wednesday.

Daniel Peter Gaudin, 57, failed to appear for a pretrial hearing Friday, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Aleta Bryant, who is prosecuting the case. Gaudin, of Orange, was free on $100,000 bail after being arrested in April.

Though his trial is set to begin Jan. 22, Bryant said, “we were at the point where we were preparing to file a second case involving further victims. I guess he made a decision to flee.”

Gaudin, who allegedly touched the girl inappropriately while teaching at her home, would face up to 18 years in prison if convicted on the charge.