Registered sex offender accused of sexually assaulting two juveniles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has learned that a registered sex offender is behind bars in Charlotte, accused of sexually assaulting two juveniles.

Robert Byam, 53, is facing nine counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and three counts of breaking and entering

He is also accused of using social media as a sex offender.

Investigators said Byam broke into a house on Baxter Street in the Cherry neighborhood with three children inside. He's accused of sexually assaulting at least two of them, and none of them were older than 13 years old.

According to court documents obtained by Channel 9, Byam lived extremely close to the children, but it is unknown how or if they knew him.

Investigators said they are focused on making sure there aren't any more victims.

Neighbors said they are disappointed there were any victims at all.

Neighbors said they researched Byam's criminal past. One neighbor said they found out Byam lived in the neighborhood.

They had a bus stop moved that was near his home and sent out a notice through the neighborhood watch, warning parents around Halloween.

“We didn't know until it was too late that there was a sex offender in our neighborhood,” Wendi Washington-Hunt said.

Channel 9 found out there isn’t a law that prohibits sex offenders from living near bus stops in North Carolina.

Still, neighbors said they made sure the bus stop was moved. Others fear it wasn't enough.

CMS officials said they could not confirm their bus stop locations, but said the district would 'strongly consider parents' safety' and 'have moved school bus stops as a result.'

Channel 9 is asking investigators for more details about the crime, including whether Byam met the children online.

Overnight, Eyewitness News found that Byam was convicted in Massachusetts of possessing child pornography.

North Carolina has a public registry that allows anyone to search for sex offenders in their neighborhood.

“I hate it, but I hate it even more for the little kids to have to deal with it,” neighbor Doris Dennis said.

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