A Girl Scout troop co-leader is accused of accused of sexually abusing two children and has been arraigned in Amherst Town Court last week.
This is the second arraignment for Troop leader Marty Walton, 31, who is currently facing similar charges back in May in Niagara County from a charge of child sexual abuse. The victims alleging the abuse in that investigation are minors, ages eight and nine years old.
Walton’s wife, Shani Walton, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Amherst police were investigating other incidents of child endangerment that involve the Waltons.
Walton has been charged with one count of first-degree criminal sex act, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Walton is being held without bail until July.
A spokesperson from the Girl Scouts of Western New York released the below statement:
All of us at the Girl Scouts of Western New York want to express our concern for the two children and we want them to have the best-possible care and support. There is nothing more important to Girl Scouts than the safety and well-being of all children, and we take all such allegations very seriously. This is hugely distressing to us.”
Since the first arrests, we learned from North Tonawanda police that the reported abuse did not take place at a Girl Scout facility, or during Girl Scout activities.
Nonetheless, we continue to emphasize the rules and regulations involving adult-Girl Scout interactions, safety and well-being. The male troop co-leader passed thorough background checks in 2016 and again in October 2019. Both adults were immediately removed from all GSWNY activities May 29. We are conducting a rigorous internal investigation, reviewing our regulations, and continue to cooperate with law enforcement.
Walton’s case is still pending due to Corona virus delays and an inability for a grand jury to convene at this time.
