Fort Myers shelter worker arrested for sexually abusing 14-year-old in his care

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FORT MYERS, Fla.-  A man hired to protect at risk children, is now accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in his care.

Barrett Williams, 25, sits behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old he was supposed to be taking care of.

Police say Williams is a staff member of The Source of Light & Hope Development Center’s Hope House located on Lime Street, which is a haven for abused, neglected or runaway children that opened in the 1980s.

The shelter is owned by the Source of Light and Hope Development Center.

Williams was hired in November.

WINK News spoke with the Executive Director of the Hope House off camera. Richard Sapp told us the crime shocked everyone. He says they are disgusted, and appalled.

Sapp says Williams was given a federal and national background check, and there were no red flags.

He tells us the child never said anything to staff, but told his parents about the abuse, and said there were pictures involved.

Sapp says the boy took William’s cell phone and gave it to police, who used it as proof of abuse.

Williams is facing multiple charges including cruelty toward a child, possession of obscene material and sexual battery.

Williams is currently being held at the Lee County Jail on $250,000 bond.

The Department of Children and Families tells WINK News children may be placed at the home by a judge, a case manager or by other means. It is currently licensed for 11 beds for children between the ages of 12 and 17.

DCF says they have investigated the house twice before, once in 2013, the other in 2014. They could not comment further, but say detectives found nothing of concern.

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