NJ man charged with molesting girl, 7, when her mom wasn't home

BRIGANTINE — A Camden County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl in his care.

James R. Ward, 30, of Bellmawr, was arrested Friday morning and charged with a crime that allegedly took place in 2014 while the girl's mother was not home.

Prosecutors say that while Ward was supposed to be watching over the girl at her Brigantine home, he penetrated her vagina with his finger and rubbed his penis on her genital area.

For these accusations, he was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors did not disclose Ward's relationship to the victim.

He was being held at the Atlantic County jail with bail set at $350,000 with no option to post 10 percent.

He could face 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.

It was not known Saturday if Ward had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office does not release photos of defendants and a booking photo was not immediately available from the county jail.