Assistant Scoutmaster Accused Of Assaulting Boy In Wareham
WAREHAM (CBS) – A local Boy Scout leader is facing accusations he inappropriately touched a boy in his troop. Wareham Police say 25-year-old Joshua Roe was working one-on-one with a boy on a scouting project in Roe's home when it happened. It was not an official troop meeting. His parents called police, and Roe was arrested within days.
The leader of the regional Boy Scout council says the organization has severed ties with Roe, and banned him from working with any scouts across the country. "The health and safety of the young people we serve is our number one priority and we will take all necessary steps to protect them," says James Waters, of the Narragansett Boy Scout Council.
"The only advice I would have is, like these parents did, they're good parents, is to talk to your children and any organization they're involved in, talk to them. Ask them how things are going. The communication between the parent and the child is key," says Lt. Kevin Walsh. He says police are reaching out to any other potential victims. Roe worked with Troop 39 for four years. There are about a dozen adolescent age boys in the troop.
Roe was arrested Tuesday and arraigned on two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14. He was released Wednesday on $10,000 cash bail and will be back in court on May 3.
