Homeless Man Sexually Assaults Kid In Morristown Park, Officials Say

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Officials have charged a homeless man with sexually assaulting a four-year-old child at a park in Morristown, said the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

The child reported being assaulted by an unknown man while in George Gramby Memorial Park on May 9, according to town and county authorities.

Investigators identified the suspect as John Dowd, 56, whom officials said has no fixed address and is "known to frequent Morristown." Dowd faces a first-degree charge of aggravated sexual assault charge, and a third-degree charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

The Prosecutor's Office was made aware of the assault on Wednesday, May 15, said Prosecutor Robert Carroll in a joint statement with MCPO Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson.

Officials located, arrested, and formally charged Dowd that same day, said the prosecutor's office. As of Wednesday Dowd remains jailed in the Morris County Correctional Facility, pending a detention hearing.

The reported assault is still under investigation, and officials did not release further details.

Authorities encourage anyone with information about the incident to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200, or the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200.