Swansea Police, Bristol County DA, bring charges against man accused of inappropriate relationship with minor

SWANSEA — Chief Mark Foley reports that, after an investigation brought forward by the Swansea Police Department, a suspect has been indicted by a Bristol County grand jury on numerous child sexual assault charges.

47-year-old Shayne Michael Hetherson of Swansea has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of Aggravated Rape of a Child With a Ten-Year Age Difference (Four Counts), Unnatural Act With a Child (Two Counts), Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under the Age of 14, and Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person 14 Years Old or Older.

Hetherson was initially arrested by the Swansea Police Department and arraigned on January 5th related to a domestic violence investigation.

On January 6th, the Swansea Police Department began an investigation after police received reports that Hetherson had an inappropriate relationship with a minor between June and August 2025.

Through an investigation by the Swansea Police Department and Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, probable cause was developed to bring additional charges forward against Hetherson related to the sexual assault allegations.

Hetherson, who is already in custody following an earlier dangerousness hearing, was indicted by a Bristol County grand jury on Thursday, Feb. 19th.

He is expected to be arraigned next week in Bristol Superior Court.

“I want to commend our detectives for the thorough work they put into this investigation,” said Chief Mark Foley. “Cases involving allegations of harm to a child are among the most difficult we handle, and protecting vulnerable members of our community remains one of our highest priorities. Their efforts ensured the facts were fully developed so this case could move forward in the justice system.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.