SALISBURY — A former Spencer town employee has been arrested after police say he sexually abused a juvenile relative.

The accused, 54-year-old James Kelly Osborne, was arrested on Thursday and charged with taking indecent liberties with a child. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and given a $25,000 bond. He has since posted bond and been released from jail.

The investigation began on Oct. 19, 2023, when the Spencer Police Department asked detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office to investigate allegations that a former town employee had abused a child relative, said a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. The request for assistance came due to the conflict of interest of investigating a former co-worker.

The alleged victim was interviewed at the Terrie Hess House Child Advocacy Center and told interviewers that they had been sexually abused at the accused’s home. Detectives continued to investigate the case and obtain evidence, the spokesperson said.

Peter Franzese, Spencer’s town manager, confirmed that Osborne was employed by the town as a code enforcement officer. Franzese said that Osborne resigned from the town in August or September of 2023.