Columbia County authorities have arrested a former Waynesboro police officer Thursday on a sexual battery charge against his daughter’s friend, authorities said.
Christopher Rosier, 34, was charged after an investigation into allegations of child abuse and more, but the misdemeanor sexual battery charge was the only offense he was arrested for. Authorities say it involves allegations that he touched the buttocks of his daughter’s friend during a sleepover.
Rosier was released Wednesday evening on a $1,100 bond after being processed in the Columbia County Detention Center.
The Waynesboro Police Department says Rosier no longer works there after the allegations surfaced.
A statement reads, “On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the Waynesboro Police Department was made aware by Officer Christopher Rosier about allegations of domestic issues made by a minor child in his home. Waynesboro Police Department reviewed a copy of the informational report filed that stated no visible evidence of abuse. Later, we made contact with the investigating authorities and were advised there were further allegations of abuse of the minor children in the family home. Officer Rosier is no longer employed at the Waynesboro Police Department as of June 15, 2023. We hold each of our team members to a high moral and ethical standard that should be exemplified on and off duty.”
Rosier was hired as a Waynesboro officer in January with a celebratory post on Facebook welcoming him to the department.
“Christopher comes to us with prior law enforcement experience at Richmond County Sheriff’s Office,” the announcement says. “We’re glad he decided to join WPD and we can’t wait to see the positive impact he has on our community!”
Rosier previously worked as a deputy in Richmond County from 2010-2015.
While he is only charged with sexual battery, Columbia County authorities were asked to investigate allegations by Rosier’s 11-year-old stepson of abuse from early June. According to a sheriff’s report, the child told a Sunday school teacher at a local church that Rosier had pushed him against a wall and pinned him with his forearm against his throat. The church pastor called the sheriff’s office.
But when deputies visited the family home, the boy’s mother said she didn’t know why her son would make the abuse claims since “Mr. Rosier does not put his hands on any children in the house,” the report says.
The boy showed no injuries consistent with abuse, the report says. The Georgia Department of Family and Children Services was notified and planned to investigate the allegations, the report says.
