YMCA Fires Man Accused Of Child Sex Assault

The 21-year-old Camden man who is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in Maple Shade is no longer employed by the YMCA of Camden and Burlington counties, according to the organization.

Jermaine J. Ward is also charged with manufacturing child pornography for making a video of the assault with his cell phone, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Gary Gubbei announced on Tuesday.

Ward worked with two area schools through the YMCA's Prime Time before-school and after school programs, authorities said. He was hired by the YMCA in 2017, and has spent time working with students at Beverly City School and Carson Elementary School in Pennsauken.

He was arrested on Sunday morning. He was terminated from his position once the organization learned of the allegations, Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA President and CEO Shaun Elliott told Patch on Wednesday.

“There is nothing more disturbing than sexual assault involving a minor,” Elliott said. “We take these allegations extremely seriously.”

Although Ward was acquainted with the girl in this case, the assault didn’t take place on YMCA property, Elliott said. There are always two members of staff on site. Ward had been screened for a criminal record and sexual assault, and his record came back clean, according to Elliott.

Ward is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (first- and third-degree) and second-degree sexual assault. He faces a detention hearing later this week. Police believe he may have had inappropriate contact or interaction with students who were under his care.

“I urge anyone who suspects this defendant of having engaged in inappropriate behavior with a child to contact law enforcement and provide the details of the incident,” Coffina said.

In Burlington County, residents are invited to call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113.

In Camden County, residents should call Camden County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit Detective Jenna Bindig at 856-580-5782.

Elliott is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the incident, and any concerns they might have. Allegations can always be reported by calling 1-877-NJ-ABUSE.

The attached image of Jermaine J. Ward was previously provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.