How Could You? Hall of Shame- Lyle “Craig” Kennobie UPDATED

By on 8-16-2011 in Abuse in foster care, Abuse in group home, Boys Haven, Kentucky, Lyle Craig Kennobie

How Could You? Hall of Shame- Lyle “Craig” Kennobie 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 Louisville, Kentucky, foster parent Lyle “Craig” Kennobie, aged 55 or 65 (conflicting news reports), was a longtime worker in a residential home Boys and Girls Haven, employed as a food services supervisor. He walked into the Louisville Metro Police station and confessed to abusing his foster son. He stated that he was suicidal.

Wave 3 reports “Lyle “Craig” Kenobbie from Jeffersontown is charged with four counts of sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse. He was arrested late Tuesday.

In an arrest report, police say Kenobbie stated that he both fondled and engaged in oral and anal intercourse with the child and had the child do the same to him.”

The Fox 41 news video states that he and his wife have been foster parents since 1981 and have fostered 7 children, mostly older or with special needs. This is a very different account than what the CEO of Boys Haven, Jeff Hadley, said in his press release fail  released statement:

“We are saddened by the allegations against Mr. Kenobbie, and we accepted his resignation last night. For more than 60 years, Boys and Girls Haven has been deeply committed to protecting thousands of vulnerable children. We absolutely do not tolerate any behavior, alleged or substantiated, that compromises that trust. Mr. Kenobbie had been a long-time employee, serving as a food services supervisor. Three months ago, he became a foster parent after completing a battery of background checks. Our thoughts and concerns are with the young person involved. We will continue to work cooperatively with state child-welfare officials and law-enforcement personnel in this matter.”

LMPD: Boys’ Haven worker turns himself in on sex charges
[WDRB 8/16/11]

Police: Youth Home Worker Admits To Sex Abuse
WLKY 8/16/11 by Jay Ditzer]

Jeffersontown man charged with sexual abuse of foster son
[WAVE 3 8/16/11 by Janelle MacDonald]

FOX 41 news video
[WDRB video (no date)]

Update: Officer Carey Klain, a police spokeswoman said that some information was provided to Child Protective Services about possible sexual relations between Kenobbie and the teen, which prompted CACU detectives to look into the matter. “But it was unclear how the information was disclosed to Child Protective Services and Kenobbie turned himself in before detectives could question him.”

“He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Tuesday morning.”

“He had no prior criminal history, Klain said. He had become a foster parent for the agency, located at 2301 Goldsmith Lane, three months ago after completing a “battery of background checks,” according to Hadley [his employer].”

As we indicated in the original post, he had been a foster parent for apparently another unnamed agency since 1981.

Former Boys and Girls Haven employee arrested
[Louisville Courier-Journal 8/17/11 by Chris Quay]

Update 2: “A former Boys’ Haven employee has now been indicted on charges of sodomy and sexual abuse.

Police say Lyle Kenobbie admitted to engaging in sexual conduct with a juvenile foster child in his custody and care.

The indictment reads the alleged incidents happened between February and August of 2011.”

Former Boys’ Haven employee indicted on sodomy, sexual abuse charges
[WHAS 11 8/24/11]

Update 3/February 28, 2012

A search of Kentucky Court of Justice Records shows that he is due for sentencing on 3/28/12. We do not know what he was convicted of at this time as there are no new media reports.

Update 4/June 23, 2012

Another search of Kentucky Court of Justice Records shows that he is due for a “motion hour” on 6/25/12. Still no media articles beyond the initial August 2011 set.

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