Swansea Man Indicted on Multiple Child Rape Charges

SWANSEA (WBSM) — A Swansea man was indicted by a grand jury Thursday on numerous child sexual assault charges, including rape.

Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley announced that Shayne Michael Hetherson, 47, was indicted by a Bristol County grand jury on four counts of aggravated rape of a child with a 10-year age difference, two counts of an unnatural act with a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, and indecent assault and battery on a person age 14 or older.

Swansea Police arrested Hetherson on January 5 in connection with a domestic violence investigation. He was arraigned that same day. However, on January 6, the department began an investigation into reports that Hetherson had an “inappropriate relationship with a minor,” according to Foley, between June and August 2025.

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An investigation by Swansea Police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office led to the additional charges. Hetherson was indicted on Thursday, February 19. He was already in custody following a dangerousness hearing.

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

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"I want to commend our detectives for the thorough work they put into this investigation," Foley said. "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."