SWANSEA — A Swansea man has been indicted by a Bristol County grand jury on eight child sexual assault charges following an investigation by the Swansea Police Department.
According to police, Shayne Michael Hetherson, 47, of Swansea, was indicted on the following charges:
- Aggravated rape of a child with a ten-year age difference (four counts)
- Unnatural act with a child (two counts)
- Indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14
- Indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years old or older
Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley said Hetherson was initially arrested and arraigned on Jan. 5, 2026, in connection with a domestic violence investigation.
The following day, Jan. 6, Swansea police began an investigation after receiving reports that Hetherson had an inappropriate relationship with a minor between June and August 2025.
“Through an investigation by the Swansea Police Department and Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, probable cause was developed to bring additional charges forward against Hetherson related to the sexual assault allegations,” Chief Foley said in a statement.
Hetherson, who was already in custody following a dangerousness hearing, was indicted by a Bristol County grand jury on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, and is expected to be arraigned this week in Bristol County Superior Court.
“I want to commend our detectives for the thorough work they put into this investigation,” Chief Foley said in a statement. “Cases involving allegations of harm to a child are among the most difficult we handle, and protecting vulnerable members of our community remains one of our highest priorities. Their efforts ensured the facts were fully developed so this case could move forward in the justice system.”
