Massachusetts police arrested a man on Monday they said sexually abused five children over the span of three years.
Eric Sladen, aged 46, is accused of sexually abusing five young boys at his residence in Shrewsbury between 2022 and May of the current year. According to The Boston Globe, at the time of the incidents, four of the victims were 11 years old, while the fifth was 9.
Sladen is alleged to have engaged in inappropriate conduct by wrestling with the boys and touching them inappropriately. Additionally, there was an occasion reported by WFXT where Sladen was allegedly in bed with one of the boys.
One boy claimed that Sladen touched his private parts weekly, while another mentioned that he was molested during video game sessions, as reported by the Globe.
Sladen reportedly instructed the victims not to tell their parents — and fist bumped one boy who obliged.
Sladen’s relationship to the victims was not disclosed. It is also unclear how authorities got involved.
Authorities indicated that despite being aware of some allegations, Sladen continued to have boys visit his home, as per the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Sladen faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, assault and battery, witness intimidation, and breaching a harassment prevention order. He is currently under house arrest after paying a $30,000 bond.
[Feature Photo: WCVB video screengrab]
