Sparta Farm Worker Accused of Sexually Assaulting Girl, 13, in Barn

A Sparta farm worker has been accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl who was doing chores inside a barn, police said.

Adrian Bautista, 25, has been charged with second-degree sexual assault of a minor and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

According to Sgt. John-Paul Beebe, Bautista was working on the farm located near the Lafayette Township border when he encountered the girl in a barn at about 4 p.m. Monday.

The man engaged in sexual activity with the girl and left about 15 minutes later, Beebe said. The girl alerted an adult family member about what happened and Bautista fled the scene when he realized police were on the way, Beebe said.

Officers from Sparta, Hardyston, Hamburg and the New Jersey State Police established a perimeter on Route 94 from the Hardyston Township border to the Lafayette Township line.

A Hamburg K-9 unit was also used to track Bautista, who eventually surrendered without incident on a residential street about a mile and a half from the farm at about 5:30 p.m., Beebe said.

The Sparta First Aid Squad transported the victim to Newton Medical Center for treatment.

Bautista's bail has been set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option. A no-bail detainer has been issued against Bautista, who is believed to be in the country illegally, Beebe said.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are pending.