A Great Mills man was released from custody Wednesday on $5,000 bond on a charge of sexual child abuse obtained by detectives who report the arrest followed their investigation of allegations that a babysitter had been inappropriately touching several young children.

Ronald C. Sparks, 53, also was charged with committing a third-degree sexual offense last month, through the investigation initiated Monday when police were called to a Lexington Park residence.

St. Mary’s detectives report that the several children, under the age of 10, made disclosures to a family member about the babysitter’s conduct.

JOHN WHARTON