Worker accused of assaulting boy inside JCPenney

STURBRIDGE, Mass. -- A store employee is accused of sexually assaulting a boy inside the dressing room of a JC Penney Tuesday night.

The incident happened at the department store on Route 131 in Sturbridge.

Francisco Wellington Barros-Gomes, 26, of Charlton, was arrested and charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and rape of a child with force.

Barros-Gomes allegedly preyed on the young boy while his mother had been making a phone call.

"At approximately 5 p.m. the defendant became involved in a conversation with the young man. As the conversation continued, the defendant was inside the dressing room with the young man," said prosecutor Shayne Picard, in court Wednesday.

That is when police said Barros-Gomes molested the boy and raped him.

The store released a statement regarding the incident: "JCPenney takes this accusation extremely seriously and is fully cooperating with the police in their investigation."

Barros-Gomes was held in prison overnight and was arraigned Wednesday in Dudley District Court.

He is being held on $25,000 cash bail.

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