Adams
Four children under age 14 have come forward with allegations that a Greenwood man touched them inappropriately.
William Jayson Adams, 49, has been charged with four counts of child molestation as a Level 4 felony. Each count is for fondling or touching a child under 14 relating to incidents that happened between January 2020 and September 2022.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office took the initial report because the children’s parents reported it first to their local police. Greenwood Police took over the investigation because the incidents allegedly occurred at Adams’ home in the 500 block of Park Drive, Greenwood.
One child came forward to their parents in September 2022 about the incidents and others followed. The children allege they were touched both over and under their underwear, according to the probable cause affidavit filed with Johnson County Circuit Court on June 12.
The children told investigators they were asked to keep the touching a secret and they were offered gifts for their silence. They said Adams would touch them every time they stayed at his house, court documents say.
Two other adults live at the home, but they were never around when incidents occurred, as they were asleep, at work, or in their bedrooms, they told investigators.
When the children’s parents confronted Adams about the incidents, he allegedly said the children are telling the truth, one of the parents told investigators. Adams agreed to speak with police, but did not give a statement about the incident, court documents say.
Facebook messages between Adams and a family member that are detailed in the affidavit show he also confessed to them.
Family member: “Tell me it’s not true.”
Adams: “I wish I could … Satan grabbed me when I was weak … it’s something I have struggled with for years.”
Another family member asked about the allegations and was reportedly told by Adams “the devil got me good this time,” the affidavit says.
Adams was arrested early Wednesday morning and remained in Johnson County jail at press time.
Non-emergency help dealing with sexual assault resources is available at Franklin-based ASSIST Indiana at 317-739-4456. For a list of Indiana resources, visit icesaht.org/get-help/. For emergency help dealing with sexual assault call or text 911 to report the crime.
