MOLESTATION CASE SET TO RESUME IN AUGUST

A Bethel man accused of inappropriately touching a child in his care is expected back in court Aug. 31.

Nathan K. Shupp, 43, is charged with fourth-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to child and illegal sexual contact for having “inappropriate contact” with a 10-year-old girl, according to police.

He was arrested last July, following a Bethel police investigation into complaints made by the child’s relatives.

The victim’s mother told police she stopped letting her daughter go to Shupp’s house after the 10-year-old told her Shupp had touched her inappropriately.

The victim told a forensic interviewer she went to Shupp’s house from August 2018 through February 2019, and that he would often “attempt to make contact with her intimate body parts,” according to an arrest affidavit.

Shupp told police he knew the victim and would watch her, but he denied any allegations of sexual contact, according to the affidavit.

He did, however, admit — among other things — to sharing a blanket with the child and hugging her “during the course of such activity,” police said.

Shupp pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on $25,000 bond. — kendra.baker@hearst.com