Barrington police charged an 18-year-old resident with first degree child molestation after he allegedly assaulted an 11-year-old girl.

Police said Devin Standish, of 24 Fountain Ave., met the 11-year-old girl in a wooded area off the East Bay Bike Path last month where "improper touching" occurred. Police said Mr. Standish was friends with the girl's older sibling, and that he had been communicating online with the 11-year-old for a period of time.

Officers said the two met in a secluded area off the bike path, near the intersection with Metropolitan Park Drive.

The girl and her mother initially brought the case to East Providence police, thinking that the incident took place in that town. But East Providence police checked the location and realized it was in Barrington.

Barrington police investigators spoke with the girl and her mother — they are East Providence residents — and gathered details about the alleged assault.

"This is not a random act," said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross. "A friendship started through an older sibling."

Officers scoured the location in the woods late last month and collected evidence from the scene of the alleged crime. On Saturday, Nov. 7, East Providence police officers picked up Mr. Standish on a warrant and transported him to the Barrington Police Station where he was officially charged.

He was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, Nov. 9.