Child sex assault case against former Bellows Falls resident ends in dismissal

The dismissal was entered with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be brought again.

Prosecutors have dropped the case against Kenneth J. Olsson, a former Bellows Falls man accused of sexually assaulting a child, saying they could not meet the burden of proof needed for a conviction.

The case was filed in January and alleged conduct in Windham County from January 2016 to January 2024. Olsson, 55, who once served as music minister at Grafton Community Church and is now reported to be living in Connecticut, had been facing the possibility of life imprisonment and was scheduled for trial this week.

Windham County Public Defender Daniel Stevens said Olsson maintained his innocence from the start, including during a police interview in June of 2025. Stevens said Olsson later entered a not guilty plea and remained jailed without bail until last week. He said the defense welcomed the dismissal because it avoided a trial the defense was prepared to contest.

State's Attorney Steven Brown said in a filing in Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Oct. 1 that the charges were being dismissed because the state did not believe it could prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Brown did not offer further details, and the court filing also did not explain the decision. The dismissal was entered with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be brought again.

At Grafton Community Church on Sunday, Pastor Bill Watson said the congregation was asked at the start of the service to pray for everyone affected by the case. He added that Olsson took part in a Zoom coffee hour after the service.