BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP A 43-year-old guard has been has been charged with third-degree aggravated sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl at juvenile correctional facility in Bordentown Township, officials said.
By:David Koch
William Bell of Westampton was arrested on March 2 in connection with the alleged incidents at the Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake Facility where he worked as a senior corrections officer. He was also was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree official misconduct, according to state officials.
He was charged by the State Division of Criminal Justice for two incidents involving the 15-year-old inmate that occurred on Feb. 25 and 26, while he was working overtime at the facility.
The charge of official misconduct alone can bring 10 years in jail and loss of public employment for life, said Emily Hornaday, public information officer for the state Division of Criminal Justice.
The Juvenile Justice Commission first became aware of the allegation on Feb. 26, according to commission spokeswoman Sharon Lauchaire.
An internal investigation was then conducted, and Mr. Bell was suspended from his job Feb. 28 with pay. On March 5, he was suspended without pay.
"That’s our normal process that we go through," said Ms. Lauchaire.
Mr. Bell’s bail was set at $25,000 during his first courtroom appearance. He was released from the Burlington County Jail on March 7.
Mr. Bell has been a corrections officer since December of 1996. Last October, he was transferred to the girls correctional facility in Bordentown which houses 35 female offenders ages 14 to 18.
