Complaint: Former Oshkosh YMCA Santa assaulted three-year-old girl
A former childcare worker and Santa Claus for the Oshkosh YMCA appeared in Winnebago County court on Thursday, where he was charged with sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl.
BT Adams, 75, is charged with two counts of 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault and a count of Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault.
Adams appeared in court via video Thursday. He did not have an attorney so the hearing was delayed until Friday.
Action 2 News has obtained a criminal complaint filed against Adams. It states that police were called on Dec. 5 to the YMCA at 3303 W. 20th Ave in Oshkosh for a report of an employee being inappropriate with a child.
The director of the YMCA and the supervisor of the Children's Drop Off Center and Child Care Center spoke with police. They said that BT Adams, who works at the Drop Off Center, had inappropriately kissed a three-year old girl on the mouth. The staffers had been tipped off about the incident and viewed surveillance footage. They found video of Adams kissing the girl.
Police were then informed that YMCA staffers found footage from Nov. 8 that shows Adams taking the same child to a rocking chair and kissing her on the lips. The video also shows him sexually assaulting the three-year-old girl.
Another video from Nov. 13 shows multiple instances of Adams sexually assaulting the girl and kissing her on the mouth, according to the criminal complaint. There are also numerous instances in which he goes out of camera view with the girl and into the bathroom with her.
Staffers told police that Adams used to work in the cafeteria. In 2013, he asked to be transferred to the drop-off center available for children ranging from six weeks to seven years old.
Adams also played Santa at the YMCA for "a number of years," according to the complaint.
Adams told police the girl "was coming at him and kissing him." Police asked him if he was attracted to children. He said it was "not an over attraction," according to the criminal complaint. Adams also stated that if they found something he would be "totally shocked" because he has been able to control it.
Police have asked parents to come forward if they have any additional information or concerns.
“In response to this incident, the Oshkosh Police Department provided a call-in number for any parent with concerns about their child to speak with a detective about their concerns. To date, the department has received 17 calls from concerned parents. That number is still available, and we ask that if any other parents would like to speak with a detective they may call," Police Chief Dean Smith said. Parents can call the police department at (920) 236-5700.
Police say Adams' background was not indicative of this kind of behavior.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Chief Smith addressed Adams' arrest and also
. Police urged parents to be mindful if their child shows fear around a person or says they don't want to be left with a person, and to watch how a person interacts with your child and how they respond to your child's crying.
The YMCA fired Adams and is cooperating with police on that investigation.
Oshkosh Community YMCA president/CEO Tom Blaze issued a statement, "We are dismayed and appalled upon learning of the allegations against an employee. Upon learning of concerns regarding their conduct, the Oshkosh Community YMCA began an internal investigation that led to contacting the Oshkosh Police Department. Based upon our investigation, the employee was terminated as an employee of the Oshkosh Community YMCA. We are cooperating fully with authorities as they continue their investigation. Our focus now is providing care and assistance to our YMCA families and staff. Those with questions or concerns regarding this situation are urged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department.”
If you have any information about this case, you can provide information anonymously through Winnebago Countywide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 or online at