The 18-year-old was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges, according to authorities.
Elijah Hutchens faces charges of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal sexual contact, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Hutchens allegedly sexually assaulted the child, who was younger than 16 years old, in Paramus multiple times, Musella said in a statement.
“In addition, Hutchens was found to be storing an unsecured firearm within reach of a child,” the prosecutor’s statement said. Hutchens was also charged with a disorderly persons offense of possessing a firearm that a minor is likely to gain access to, Musella said. Paramus police alerted the prosecutor’s office special victims unit about the alleged sexual assault on Wednesday, according to the prosecutor, who did not disclose more details on the allegations.
Hutchens, a Huntsville resident, was sent to the Bergen County Jail ahead of his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court, authorities said. It was unclear if he had retained an attorney.