RUMFORD — A 19-year-old local man was arrested this week and charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl during a walk along the Androscoggin River in April. 

Izayha Walsh Photo submitted by Rumford police

Izayha Walsh of 231 Knox St. was arrested Tuesday and charged with gross sexual assault, a Class A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He was held overnight without bail at the Oxford County Jail in Paris. On Wednesday bail was set at $1,000 cash.  

Rumford police began investigating the assault after police in Jay alerted them that they received information from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding an attack of the child.  

Criminal investigators specializing in sexual assault investigations involving children were immediately assigned to the case, police said. 

“The investigation revealed that Walsh and the child … had gone for a walk along a trail near the Androscoggin River in the downtown Rumford area on the afternoon of April 20, and it was at that time in the woods that Walsh engaged in the sexual act with the child,” according to a Rumford Police Department press release. 

According to the release from Chief Tony Milligan, “Once sufficient, corroborative evidence was obtained, lead criminal investigator Capt. Daniel Garbarini applied for a warrant of arrest” and requested a court order that Walsh be prohibited from having any contact with the victim.  

Rumford police took Walsh into custody without incident Tuesday in Rumford and he was taken to the jail.

On Wednesday, Walsh was arraigned in Rumford where a judge set bail at $1,000 cash. He may also be released on personal recognizance if he enters into a contract with Maine Pre-Trial Services to be supervised by that agency. As a condition of his release, Walsh may not have contact with any child under the age of 16 and he must seek counseling.

Walsh’s next court appearance in Rumford is scheduled for Dec. 23. 

If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.