Waretown Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Young Girl For Six Years

Authorities have arrested a Waretown man and charged him with the aggravated sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

Coronato and Waretown Police Chief Gerhard Frenz today announced the arrest of Frederic Whitehead, 42, for the sexual abuse, which the victim says lasted six years.

The victim - who now lives in Georgia - reported the abuse to law enforcement authorities in Cobb County.

Cobb County authorities then contacted Detective Lindsay Woodfield of Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and provided details of an initial interview with the victim, Coronato said.

"During the interview the victim disclosed that while residing in Waretown the defendant sexually abused her over a six-year period," Coronato said in a release.

Woodfield began working with the Waretown Police Department. Woodfield was able to substantiate the abuse with the help of the victim's mother, he said.

Woodfield, along with Det. Sgt. William Sneddon of the Waretown Police Department arrested Whitehead on July 1., He was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Coronato said.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge Joseph Foster set Whitehead's bail at $250,000, with no ten percent option. Whitehead will have no contact with the victim, according to Nicole's Law, said Coronato.

"There is the potential for additional victims in this case," Coronato said. "The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Waretown Police Department are encouraging any other victims to contact either the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit at 732-929-2027 or the Waretown Police Department at 609-693-4007. All information will be kept strictly confidential."