How Could You? Hall of Shame-Stephen Merritt and Tracy Bayne UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Mardela Springs, Maryland, foster father Tracy Grant Bayne, 51, and his nephew, foster father Stephen James Merritt, 38 “who were serving as foster parents for teenage boys were charged in two unrelated cases of teen sex abuse this week.”
“Bayne and Merritt, whose houses are located about 151 feet apart from one another, were taken into custody this week after three male foster children alleged the men abused them, in unrelated incidents, while living in their homes.”
Bayne
Bayne was arrested on Wednesday March 16, 2011 after “a 17-year-old male told investigators Bayne abused him from June 2009 up until Sunday. The alleged abuse started when the victim was 15 years old, about two months after the teen moved into Bayne’s home.”
“The teen told police Bayne sexually abused him in a wooded area near Athol Road and Route 50 as well as inside the home where they lived.”
“Crime scene technicians have recovered potential evidence from a couch and carpet inside Bayne’s home, according to charging documents.
In addition to sex abuse of a minor, Bayne has been charged with sex offense and sodomy.”
Though bond was initially set at $1 Million, Bayne was denied bail by the end of the hearing. A private foster care agency placed the boy in Bayne’s care.
Merritt
“Merritt was taken into custody Tuesday after two teenage male foster children reported he sexually abused them from May 1, 2008, through Monday while living in his home .”
“One of the victims told police he did not stop Merritt or report the alleged abuse because he did not want to be removed from the home, according to charging documents.
Merritt made a “partial admission” to the allegations during an interview with investigators on Tuesday, according to court documents.
He has been charged with sex offense, sex abuse of a minor and assault.”
He is being held on $500,000 bond. The State’s attorney declined to say if the placing agency was private or public.
Looking for more victims: Anyone with further information on Bayne, Merritt, or other potential victims, please contact the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center at 410-713-3497.
2 foster fathers charged in teen sex abuse cases
[Delmarva Now! 3/18/11 by Sharahn D. Boykin]
Update: The placing agency is revealed.
“The Maryland Department of Human Resources confirmed both men were certified foster parents with a child placement agency, MENTOR Maryland.
“White said that at this time, it does appear as if MENTOR Maryland was in line with all state requirements.”
These houses were visited TWICE a month and they had no clue what was going on? Truly disgusting!
Foster Care Program Explained After Arrests of 2 Men
[WBOC 3/21/11update by Kayla Ayres]
Update 2: Another victim comes forward. “In the most recent case, a male victim alleged the abuse started about a month after he went to live in Merritt’s home in November 2003. He was 13 years old at the time.
According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred in the victim’s bedroom inside the Merritt home, an old chicken coop that has now been converted to a wood shop and storage area, and inside a motel Merritt was remodeling, according to court documents.
Merritt was charged with sex offense, assault and attempted sodomy Wednesday and was being held at the county detention center on two $500,000 bonds.”
Foster father faces additional sex charges
[Delmarva now! 3/25/11 by Sharahn D. Boykin]
Update 3: ” Mardela Springs foster father charged in the sexual abuse of three male teens was indicted this week after four additional boys alleged he sexually abused them as well.
A grand jury indicted Stephen James Merritt, 39, on sex abuse of a minor, sex offense and child abuse charges on Monday.
In the most recent case, four additional victims were identified while police were investigating previous allegations of abuse against Merritt, according to the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The newest victims were between the ages of 12 and 13 at the time of the incidents, which occurred from 1998- 2007.”
“Merritt has been held at the Wicomico County Detention Center on $500,000 bond since March after two male foster teens reported he sexually abused them from May 1, 2008, through March 14 of this year while living in his home in the 24000 block of Main Street Extension, according to police. Investigators charged him with sex offense, assault and attempted sodomy.
Jamie Dykes, the Wicomico County assistant state’s attorney prosecuting the case, requested the judge set bail for Merritt at $50,000 in the current case during a Circuit Court hearing Thursday.
Dykes also asked the judge to impose conditions on his bail similar o those in the other two case.
“I request (he have) no contact with the victims,” Dykes said in court.
Judge W. Newton Jackson III set bail at $250,000, meaning Merritt would have to post the initial $500,000, plus the newly imposed $250,000 to get out of jail.”
“According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred in the victim’s bedroom inside the Merritt home, an old chicken coop that has now been converted to a wood shop and storage area, and inside a motel Merritt was remodeling, according to court documents.”
4 more boys accuse Wicomico foster father of sex abuse
[Delmarva now! 7/1/11 by Sharahn D. Boykin]
This article defines the charges a bit further.
“As a result of an investigation into these latest allegations, a grand jury this week indicted Merritt on the charges of sexual abuse of a minor, second- and third-degree sex offense, and child abuse.”
Mardela Springs Foster Father Arrested on More Child Sex Charges
[WBOC 7/1/11 by Kye Parsons and Kayla Ayres]
“An attorney for two male juvenile victims who allege they were sexually abused while living in a Mardela Springs foster home will file civil lawsuits against the private foster care placement agency tomorrow, according to a statement released by their attorney Tuesday afternoon.
The civil complaints name MENTOR Maryland and Stephen James Merritt as defendants and alleges the private foster care placement agency was negligent and failed to protect the victims from sexual abuse in Merritt’s home.
Merritt was taken into custody in March after three male foster teens alleged he had sexually abused them. He was also recently indicted on similar charges after four additional victims were identified during a police investigation.”
SALISBURY NEWS: Alleged sex abuse victims to file civil lawsuit against foster care placement agency
[Delmarva now! 7/5/11]
Update 4: The civil lawsuit has been filed.”Two minors are suing MENTOR Maryland Inc. and Stephen James Merritt for Maryland sexual abuse. They are seeking over $456 million. MENTOR Maryland is a private foster care placement agency and Merritt is a 39-year-old foster dad from Mardela Springs who accused of the abuse. Earlier this year he was charged and indicted for allegedly sexually abusing seven boys inside his residence.
Following the Maryland sex abuse allegations against Merritt, the children staying at his home were taken away from there right away. Until then, Merritt and his wife were licensed as foster parents. Also arrested and charged with sex abuse of a minor at around the same time as Merritt was his uncle, Tracy G. Bayne, who lives close to his nephew.
In their Maryland personal injury case, the victims are claiming that the foster care placement agency did not meet recognized standards when it failed to routinely visit the home, supervise the kids, or respond to complaints made against Merritt. They are claiming that MENTOR breached its duty to protect and supervise the juveniles and neglected to provide them with a safe place to live. Meantime, MENTOR is maintaining that not only does it conduct background checks, but it also makes regular home visits and does health and safety checks on a quarterly basis.”
[Note: The headline of this press release reads $356 million not $456 million]
Maryland Accident Law Blog 7/10/11
Update 5: A third civil lawsuit is filed. “A third juvenile who alleges he was sexually abused has filed a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against a Mardela Springs former foster father and a private foster care placement agency in Circuit Court this week.
The plaintiff is the most recent alleged victim to sue Stephen James Merritt, 39, and the private foster care company, MENTOR Maryland, that placed him in Merritt’s home.”
“In the most recent lawsuit, the plaintiff is asking for $225 million in damages in the most recent lawsuit filed; $210 million from Merritt and $15 million from MENTOR.
The 13-page complaint, filed in Wicomico County Circuit Court on Tuesday by Michael Belsky of Schlachman, Belsky & Winer PA on behalf of a plaintiff identified as “John Doe No. 3, ” alleges the victim was sexually abused by Merritt from 2003 to January 2005.
The complaint also alleges MENTOR Maryland received a “notice of alarming grievances” against Merritt while the alleged victim was in his care.
Belsky also filed a motion asking the court to protect the identity of the victim and allow him to continued to be identified as “John Doe” or seal parts of the record that reveal his name or other means of identification.”
3rd foster abuse lawsuit filed
[Delmarva now! 7/16/11 by Sharahn D. Boykin]
Update 6: Stephen Merritt pleaded guilty “to multiple counts of sex abuse of a minor and sex offense during a Wicomico County Circuit Court hearing Tuesday morning.”
“Stephen James Merritt, 39, is facing a 125 year sentence – the state’s maximum penalty for each count.
The judge, W. Newton Jackson III, ordered Merritt to continued to be held without bond while he waits for a sentencing hearing.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the conclusion of a mental health evaluation and a pre-sentencing investigation.”
Mardela foster father pleads guilty in sex abuse cases
[Delmarva Now! 8/30/11]
“The foster father accused of sexually assaulting 8 children has pleaded guilty to all charges.”
BREAKING NEWS: Foster Father, Stephen Merritt Pleads Guilty To All Charges
[WDMT 8/30/11 by Alyana Gomez]
Update 7: Tracy Bayne pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a minor in Wicomico County Circuit Court on Tuesday September 13, 2011.
“Tracy Grant Bayne, 52, was charged in March with sex abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense, two counts of unnatural or perverted practice and two counts of sodomy after an investigation by the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center.”
Man pleads guilty to sex abuse of minor
[Delmarva Now! 9/13/11]
“51-year-old Tracy Bayne – Stephen Merritt’s uncle – pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a minor – one day before his trial was set to start. Bayne is accused of abusing a 17-year-old boy for almost 2 years.
Tracy Bayne Pleads Guilty To Sex Abuse Of A Minor
[WMDT 9/13/11 by Julia Heller]
Update 8: “Bayne, who was convicted of the aforementioned charge in Wicomico County Circuit Court on Tuesday, faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Sentencing is expected to occur within the next 60 days. ”
“Bayne’s nephew, 39-year-old Stephen James Merritt, who lived at a separate home within close proximity to Bayne, pleaded guilty last month to three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and five counts of third-degree sexual offense. By pleading guilty, Merritt waived his right to a jury trial. He faces a maximum of 125 years in prison at his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 4.”
Foster Father Convicted on Child Sex Charge
[WBOC 9/14/11 by Kye Parsons]
Update 9 : “A Mardela Springs foster father convicted of abusing several boys under his care was sentenced to 110 years in prison during a hearing held Friday in Wicomico County Circuit Court.
Mardela Springs Foster Father Sentenced to 110 Years in Prison for Sex Crimes
[WBOC 11/4/11 by Kye Parsons]
Update 10: Tracy Bayne was sentenced to 20 years in prison.”Tracy Grant Bayne, 52, pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a minor in September as part of an agreement with the state. The maximum penalty that could have been implemented was 25 years behind bars.
Bayne was charged after a 17-year-old male told investigators Bayne abused him from June 2009 through March 2011. The alleged abuse started when the boy was 15-years-old.”
WICOMICO COURTS: Bayne sentenced to 20 years
[Del Marva Now 11/18/11]
REFORM Puzzle Pieces
Update 11: Hat tip to VoiceofTruth318 for sending this video compilation and first hand accounts of this case. The video is almost 14 minutes long. The second half of the video reveals shocking new information about the lack of reporting of the abuse. She also reveals that MENTOR Maryland has a parent corporation called NeuroRestorative. You can see in the MENTOR network’s biographies of leadership how NeuroRestorative is part of the business. See here. Some of the clients of these group homes are severely brain-injured, taking this to a new, low level.
Hi i have known Mr. Merritt for about 4 years and never would have thought that he was doing something like this. It really is upsetting but i guess you never know what someone is capable of. Just glad he was caught before he did this to anyone else. Prayers go out to the victims and familys.
Steve has been doing for a REAL LONG TIME …….
Was steve abused by his uncle tracy? When he was young?I grew up with steve, never thought he would be capable of doing something like this. Wtf Comment
NO he was NOT! Stephen was an aggressor & into all manner of trouble from early school days to the day he was arrested. Anyone who makes comments such as “he’ll make a fine f*ck ” to a newborn at someone’s funeral is seriously twisted! You only know what the media & sites such as this tell you/ You don’t know the 17 year old boy was removed from his home for molesting his sister & Mentor of Maryland was aware of this! They admitted he was a “problem” and also an aggressor! HE was the one to set Mr. Bayne up because he wanted to go back to his grandmother who he admitted to “touching”! One final item, Mr. Bayne’s offence was the equal to a bj. His “20 years” comes from the media hype of the Merrit cases not on his singular mistake of being trapped by not one but TWO manipulative predators! I should know, he’s related.