NORWAY — Police said the manager of a local family shelter is charged with failing to appear in court to answer a charge of sexually touching a child at the shelter in April.

Thomas James Williams, 25, of Mexico, was arrested Oct. 27 by local police after he failed to appear in court Oct. 15 to answer a charge of sexually touching a 12-year-old, according to Norway Police Detective Gary Hill.

The charge stems from an April incident at the Women and Families Shelter in Norway where Williams was employed by Rumford Group Homes as manager, Hill said. Police alleged he took the 12-year-old to his room, locked the door and engaged in unlawful sexual touching.

The child was staying at the shelter with his mother, who filed a complaint with the Norway Police Department. Police officers had a child psychologist interview the child while investigators watched via video.

Police also contacted Rumford Group Homes Executive Director Alan Monier to advise him of the allegations. They told Monier the child’s mother was concerned about retaliation and Mornier reportedly responded that she could leave (the shelter) at any time, according to the police report.

In addition to the charge of unlawful sexual touching, the Oxford County District Attorney’s Office charged Williams with assaulting a child and violation of conditional release on an arson conviction, both misdemeanors.

Williams pleaded guilty to arson involving a dormitory fire at the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine in January 2014.

Monier said he was aware of that case, police said.

Williams appeared in court Thursday and was released on $500 bail with conditions that he have no contact with the child or anyone 12 years old or younger.

He is no longer employed as the shelter manager.

asheehan@sunmediagroup.net