SUMTER, SC (WIS) - A part-time employee of the Sumter YMCA was arrested Thursday after the mother of a boy who attended the facility said the man reached up her son's shorts and touched him in an inappropriate manner.
Darrell Jerome Josey, 55, of Wedgefield is charged with sex/lewd act, committing or attempting lewd act upon child, according to the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
According to a Sumter Police Department incident report, the mother of the alleged victim showed up at the YMCA on Miller Road Saturday evening to pick up her child, but could not find him. After walking around the facility and checking for unlocked doors and staff members, Josey eventually greeted the woman by opening the doors of the weight room, the report stated.
According to the report, Josey told the woman that her son had a cramp in his upper thigh and he was trying to "help the boy stretch the cramp out." Josey went on to tell the woman that he "ran the business on the weekend and looked out for the young boys," the report stated.
Josey then asked the woman to walk back to the front of the building where she met the suspect and her, according to the report. She took custody of her son and they left the property.
The boy's mother called police several hours later when she learned from the boy that Josey had reached up the boy's shorts and touched him in an inappropriate manner, according to the report.
The YMCA of Sumter issued a statement to the media on Friday. In it, the organization said it has "served our community with distinction and pride as an organization committed to youth development. The safety and well-being of children in our care always has been and always will be our top priority. "
"The Sumter Police Department informed us that allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor had been made against one of our part time custodial workers. We are taking this matter very seriously. As a result of the allegations, we suspended the employee without pay immediately. After further investigation, Darrell Jerome Josey was arrested in reference to the incident."
"The safety of all children in our care is our primary concern. Due to the nature of this incident involving a minor child, we are unable to comment further. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family involved."
A background check on Josey revealed no previous charges.
Josey's bond was set Friday afternoon at $25,000 surety.
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Darrell Jerome Josey (Source: Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center)
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