UPDATE: Former Foxborough Teacher Accused of Sex Abuse Reportedly Suffering from Alzheimer’s

William Sheehan, the former Foxborough teacher and youth leader accused of sexually abusing multiple children under the age of 15 in town from 1978 to 1981, is reportedly a late-stage Alzheimer’s patient, according to a Sept. 28 article in The News-Press of Fort Myers, Fla.

Foxborough Police opened an investigation against Sheehan in August after three alleged victims came forward to report multiple sexual crimes Sheehan allegedly committed against each of them.

After Foxborough Police obtained a warrant for Sheehan’s arrest from Wrentham District Court on Sept. 12, FPD Detective Timothy O’Leary and Massachusetts State Trooper Kathleen Prince travelled to Fort Myers to take Sheehan into custody.

However, police learned of Sheehan’s medical condition when they arrived and were unable to make an arrest, according to Foxborough Police Chief Edward O'Leary.

Marisa Kendall of The News-Press spoke with Sheehan’s son, Steven and daughter-in-law, Francine following the visit from police.

“He didn’t know who they were, what they were,” Francine told Kendall. “He couldn’t even coherently answer their questions.”

Sheehan’s son, Steven, told Kendall an arrest wasn’t likely made because his father needs constant care. As for the allegations against his father, Steven told Kendall he doesn’t know what to make of them.

“We moved away from [Foxborough] when I was 13,” he said. “If these allegations are true, then my parents did a good job of hiding it from me.”

If arrested, Sheehan would face 11 felonies – 9 counts of indecent assault and battery on child under 14 and two counts of indecent assault and battery on child 14 or over, according to court documents.

Sheehan was a former elementary and middle school teacher in Foxborough, a Boy Scout Master of Troop 70 and a swimming director at Cocasset River Park. He resided at 81 Willow St. until 1981 when he and his family moved to Florida.

To read the News-Press’ article on Sheehan in its entirety, click here.

To follow Foxborough Patch’s coverage on this developing story, click here.