82 Year Old Accused of Sexually Abusing a Child

An 82 year old Cortland man is accused of sexually abusing a girl under the age of 11 over the course of about seven years.

Cortland Police say Arthur Ward is charged with 58 counts of sexual abuse for sexual contact with a child under the age of 11 and 12 additional sexual abuse counts for contact with a child under the age of 13, course of sexual conduct against a child and felony attempted sexual abuse as well as misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.

Police say Ward was arrested following a seven month long investigation.

Police say Ward was acquainted with the victim’s family.

Ward was sent to the Cortland County Jail on $5,000 bail.

If convicted, Ward could get up to seven years in prison for each of the 58 sexual abuse counts.