Crime & Safety

Man Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Child In Parsippany

The Morris Plains resident was also charged with child-pornography possession while he was in custody earlier in January.

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A jury found a man guilty on all charges Friday relating to his sexual assault of a child in Parsippany. Amit Bhatt faces several decades in prison.

The charges arose from a 2017 incident in which Bhatt sexually assaulted and inappropriately touched an 8-year-old, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. While in custody earlier this month, Bhatt was also charged with possession of child pornography.

In Friday's verdict, the jury found Bhatt guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. His sentencing is set for March 17.

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The Morris Plains resident faces 25 years to life in prison. He must serve at least 25 years before parole eligibility on the aggravated sexual assault conviction. Bhatt, 43, will remain in custody until the sentencing.

Parsippany and Morris County authorities began an investigation into the incident in January 2022, after the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office alerted them of the victim's disclosure.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Bergen County authorities charged Bhatt on Jan. 6 with third-degree possession of child pornography. Bhatt was served the charge while in custody at the Morris County Jail.

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