Former foster parent, head of recreation commission charged with sex assault of minor

Jenna Calderón, Asbury Park Press
·1 min read
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TOMS RIVER - A former foster parent and head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor who lived in his home, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Tuesday.

William Gleason, 68, of South Toms River, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to Billhimer.

William Gleason, 68, a former foster parent and head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, endangering a child and other offenses. Authorities said he sexually assaulted a child living in his home.
William Gleason, 68, a former foster parent and head of the South Toms River Recreation Commission, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, endangering a child and other offenses. Authorities said he sexually assaulted a child living in his home.

An investigation found that, between 2015 and 2020, Gleason sexually assaulted a minor, the prosecutor said. He was charged on Friday, November 24, and surrendered at South Toms River Police headquarters the following day.

Billhimer said Gleason was taken to Ocean County Jail and remains there pending a detention hearing.

Although a press release would not typically be issued over these matters due to their "sensitive nature and out of respect for the victim's privacy," Billhimer said Gleason's former role as a foster parent and head of the recreation commission required an alert to the public.

“I urge anyone in possession of information concerning this investigation, or any additional information concerning this defendant’s conduct, to contact Detective Delaney Huber of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3218, or Detective Timothy Meier of the South Toms River Police Department at 732-363-0200, extension 112,” Billhimer said.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Former South Toms River foster dad charged with sex assault of minor