For Some, Final Report for William Sheehan Investigation Brings Closure

Closure, it’s what Daniel Smith, a victim of alleged serial child molester William Sheehan felt when he heard the final report on the Sheehan investigation Tuesday night.

During the selectmen’s meeting, Foxboro Police Chief Ed O’Leary read the report which details the investigation from the start of 1998 to more recent developments in 2012.

Smith was the first to come forward in Jan. 1998 when he spoke with Detective-Sergeant James Kozak. The department submitted the case for review to the Norfolk County D.A.’s office but no prosecution could be taken due to the state of limitation.

More victims came forward to Superintendent Debra Spinelli in 2012, which would result in a police investigation and the Foxborough Police Department obtaining an arrest warrant for Sheehan. When Sheehan, who left Foxborough in 1981, was located in Florida by police, he was found in a secure facility, ill, and unaware of his surroundings, leaving police unable to serve the warrant due to his condition.

Reading the report, it was noted by O’Leary that the investigation was unable to produce anyone that knew of Sheehan’s actions.

“During the investigation, there were constant rumors and suggestions about Sheehan, his activities, and the potential he was forced to resign. The investigation tried to check those particular instances but in no cases have we found anyone that has come forward with information about a particular individual that could be substantiated nor has anyone been able to confirm the speculation that has gone on the community,” O’Leary said

After the reading of the report, selectmen Jim DeVellis apologized to the victims on behalf of the town.

“I am certainly sorry it happened and I am sorry on behalf of Foxboro and we can do our best to make sure this never happens again. I wish I could do more and I wish that the police could have done more,” DeVellis said.

DeVellis also asked anyone that had information that could be added to the report to come forward.

Smith, speaking for himself, said he appreciated the town’s effort to make sure a similar child abuse case cannot happen again in Foxborough.

“Our goal is prevention. Justice can’t be given to us and we have to come to terms with that. This man will never pay for his sins so it becomes prevention,” Smith said. “I think it’s a step in the right direction for me and hopefully for the other survivors. I know as a committee, parents, and people, you care about getting this right and I think that’s exactly what the chief is trying to do and hopefully that’s will come from this. There won’t be other kids when they’re 48 year old sitting here wondering how we could have made things different 20-30 years ago.”

The final report will remain open and will be posted on the Foxborough Police Department’s Facebook page in the near future.