O'FALLON, Mo. — A St. Charles County man who was a Cub Scout den leader with the Boy Scouts of America has been charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy.
Matthew C. Baker, 48, has been charged with statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy – deviate sexual intercourse with a person younger than 12 years old.
An 8-year-old boy told police he was playing the board game Mousetrap in Baker’s basement on the afternoon of Saturday, October 13.
The boy said they were on a mattress when Baker pulled down the boy's pants and underwear and placed the child's 'no-no square in [Baker's] mouth,' which was how the boy described the incident to police, according to the charging document.
Police investigators asked the boy to identify the no-no square using an anatomical drawing, and he circled the drawing’s penis, police said.
Police said they asked Baker whether there was any chance his DNA would be on the boy’s private area. They said he replied “I’m not sure” and wanted to talk with an attorney before any further questioning.
Baker was a Cub Scout den leader for Cub Scout Pack 986 in O'Fallon, Missouri. More specifically, he was a 'wolf leader,' which means he oversaw children who are either 8 years old or in the second grade. Cub Scout Pack 986 is affiliated with Twin Chimneys Elementary School in the Fort Zumwalt School District.
At this time, O’Fallon police have not heard about additional victims, but because of Baker’s affiliation with the Boy Scouts, they are asking any potential witnesses or victims to contact them. The officer to call is Detective R.S. McDermott at (636) 379-5659 or by email at rmcdermott@ofallon.mo.us.
The Boy Scouts of America confirmed with 5 On Your Side that Baker was involved in the organization, but not anymore.
"Mr. Baker's membership status with our Pack and BSA nationally has been revoked," the Pack 986 committee chair said in an email statement to 5 On Your Side.
Baker was been arrested, but posted $50,000 bond and was released.
Police said Baker has two children of his own—an 8-year-old boy and girl, who are twins.
The Boy Scouts of America released the following statement:
“The behavior included in these allegations is abhorrent and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. Upon learning of these reports, we took immediate action to remove this individual and prohibit him from any future participation in our programs.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our youth members. We seek to prevent child abuse through comprehensive policies and procedures to serve as barriers to abuse. These include a thorough screening process for adult leaders and staff, criminal background checks, requiring two or more adult leaders be present with youth at all times during Scouting activities, and the prompt mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse.
“Anyone with any information on potential abuse should contact authorities to ensure the safety of our youth, in and out of Scouting.”
