MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) -- A 36-year-old Oakland County man is facing sexual assault charges for allegedly molesting a child while babysitting for a Macomb County family.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office says Mark Baum of Southfield was arrested following an investigation into a complaint made Saturday night by a man and woman in Macomb Township.
Deputies responded to a home at around 8 p.m. and spoke with the couple who reported that Baum was watching their children when he sexually assaulted their 5-year-old son.
When the boy and and older child, who witnessed the alleged assault, told their mom and dad what had happened the parents immediately called police, officials said.
According to the sheriff's office, the couple found and hired the babysitter through the popular website Care.com.
It is not known how long Baum has been offering babysitting services via the site, but his Care.com profile stated that he has 10 years of experience, officials said. He'd babysat for this family on one prior occasion, and it is unknown how many other babysitting jobs he has received through this service or elsewhere.
Baum was taken into custody by the Southfield Police Department at the request of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and was lodged at the Macomb County Jail.
He has since been charged by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office with two felony counts a criminal sexual conduct - second degree.
Baum was arraigned in 41-A District Court in Shelby Township on Monday and given a $150,000 cash/surety bond on the condition that he wear a GPS tether if he is released. His next scheduled court date is a probable cause conference on Aug. 1.
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