AP-US--Mr Wonder-Abuse Allegations

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By 
Associated Press

BONITA, Calif. (AP) - In 1979, the man known to north Louisiana television viewers as "Mr. Wonder" vanished amid allegations that the children's show host sexually abused several kids during a camping retreat.

Now authorities say they have arrested him, living under another name in California, and officials and neighbors fear he could have preyed on other children during his 37 years on the run.

The man who faced a San Diego judge Wednesday denied he is the 76-year-old fugitive named Frank John Selas III who allegedly fled to Brazil in 1979 after authorities in Louisiana secured a warrant for his arrest.

Neighbors in a well-to-do section of a San Diego suburb knew him as Frank Szeles, a friendly Cub Scouts leader who frequently gave swimming lessons to young children in his backyard pool.