Ex-YMCA Santa Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 3-Year-Old Girl

A Wisconsin YMCA employee who worked for years at the facility's child drop-off center, sometimes as a seasonal Santa, has been accused of inappropriately touching a 3-year-old child. The sexual assault allegedly was caught by security cameras.

B.T. Adams, 75, had been an employee in several different capacities at the YMCA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He faces two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13 and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual assault of a child. A child case supervisor had reported the possible incident after becoming worried that Adams inappropriately kissed a 3-year-old girl. A subsequent review of security footage showed Adams allegedly touching the child under her clothes in at least two different instances, according to a criminal complaint. On one of the tapes reviewed, Adams allegedly could be seen kissing the child on the lips.

Adams was arrested and charged on Dec. 13, but has has denied inappropriate relations with the child.

“[A detective] asked [Adams] if he was attracted to kids and Adams stated that it was 'not an over attraction.' Adams stated that if they found something he would be totally shocked because he has been able to control it,” the criminal complaint states, according to Green Bay, Wisconsin-based FOX11.

Adams was terminated by the YMCA immediately after the investigation started.

Tom Blaze, president and CEO of the Oshkosh Community YMCA, reassured the public of his staff's commitment to "safety and well-being of children in our care."

"For more than 60 years, the Oshkosh Community YMCA has served our community with distinction and pride as an organization focused on youth development," Blaze said in a statement. "We have been and will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation into the facts surrounding this situation."

At a public news conference on the matter, Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith stated that 17 other reports from concerned parents have come in about Adams since his arrest.

"Have conversations about anyone they may run into or feel uncomfortable with and if the child feels like there was something that occurred, to reach out to us," Smith advised, according to ABC 7 of Chicago, Illinois.

Adams potentially faces a maximum of 60 years in prison for each charge. All of the current counts against him pertain to the incidents with the child depicted in the security footage.

Adams was originally set to appear in court on Dec. 13 but that was rescheduled to Dec. 21, as his lawyer was not able to be present on the first date. His bail has not yet been set and remains in police custody.

[Photo: Winnebago County Sheriff's Department]