How Could You? Hall of Shame-Mary Roelofs 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 Princeton, Minnesota, 46-year-old foster mother, Mary Roelofs, has been charged with “cruel punishment, endangerment and neglect of a child” in an incident involving a 3-year-old child of an employee that she was babysitting. She was “widely-respected” for fostering 300 children over 24 years.
“Mille Lacs County District Court records say 46-year-old Mary Roelofs of Princeton put a 3-year-old boy out in the cold in little clothing, and even withheld food as punishment when he didn’t do as she instructed.
Court records show on December 9, 2011, Mary Roelofs was caring for the child of one of her employees. That mother noticed a bruise on her boy, and the child’s doctor was concerned about the extent of the bruises on his upper body.
When questioned by authorities, Roelofs told investigators she “grabbed him and put him in the garage” and admitted to putting him outside in the cold when he didn’t sweep the floor. She said she put him out in the cold three or four times, because that was how the boy’s mother punished him, and she was trying to be consistent.
Authorities say the weather in Minnesota that day ranged between 5 and 17 degrees. A witness at the home told investigators the boy was outside with a T-shirt and “pull-up” diaper.
Other court allegations include punching the boy after he pushed another child, saying, “How do you like to be bullied?” Records also say Roelofs withheld food and naps as punishment.
When asked to explain the bruises on the child’s upper body, Roelofs told Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s deputies she didn’t remember doing anything that would have injured the boy. According to court records, she said she didn’t recall being frustrated, but added that “it’s possible on any given day to step over the line, but that’s not her goal.”
“At her home, Roelofs referred WCCO to her attorney, Kevin DeVore, saying she couldn’t comment with the pending case.
“I can tell you they are absolutely devastated and shocked because of the charges,” said DeVore. “They’ve dedicated their lives to caring for some of the most troubled youth and adults in the state.”
““Mary Roelofs will vigorously defend herself against these charges. Her day in court will come and she will have her opportunity to tell her side of the story, and I know when that happens it will be clear she is innocent of these charges,” said DeVore.
Roelofs’ foster children were removed from the home as part of the protocol with the investigation.
Roelofs appears in court Tuesday [February 28, 2012]. If convicted of the charges, she could face up to nine years in prison or a $22,000 dollar fine.”
Foster Mom Accused Of Child Endangerment, Neglect
[CBS Local Minnesota 2/24/12]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
The child told his mother Roelofs had made him stand outside in the cold several times that day. The child and an adult also in Roelofs’ care told the mother and investigators that during one of these times, the child wet his pants. Both said Roelofs changed his wet pants, and put a pull-up on him. The child said later he was put outside again wearing only a t-shirt and pull-up.
Roelofs is licensed for foster care placement for children and adults.
In a taped statement to investigators, a witness said the 3-year-old would not sweep the floor so Roelofs put him outside in the cold without a coat or shoes. She said this went on for the majority of the day, until 3 p.m. — each time the child didn’t sweep, Roelofs would put him outside.
National Weather Service records indicate the temperature outside that day for Princeton ranged from 9 to 17 degrees.
Law enforcement received the medical records for the 3-year-old child from the examination Dec. 10. Police also took a statement from the attending doctor. The doctor said he would have been concerned about the bruises even without the mother’s statements because they are located in unusual places. Bruises were found on the child’s upper back, chest, neck and shoulders. Superficial scratches were also found on the child’s face.
Roelofs was charged with three counts of malicious punishment of a child, one count of child neglect and one count of endangerment of a child. The result of her trial, which concluded Friday in Stearns County, was one conviction for a gross-misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child. She was found not-guilty of the other four charges.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Roelofs faces up to one year in jail and up to $3,000 in fines. The conviction will likely prohibit Roelofs from caring for foster children and adults in the state of Minnesota.”
the first reports of this came thru on the mille lacs messenger and their story stated after the doctor deputy went to the home and a whitness stated saw mary put the child on a kitchen counter and punch him in the chest arms shoulders and head , wcco jumped on this story only news media seemed to care about the child was them . seems rich people have one form of justice in mille lacs and poor people get another form . as marys mom said its the parents to blame when the children act out so my hats off to marys mom you raised a real winner .
most what is important here is can a 3 year old child get over behing abused by the hands of a mad crazy christion woman that hits with her fists? ordered him around like a dog i would never treat my dog as mary did that poor child god bless all the brave media people that dared bring us this story the godfarther marlyn wobart i hope youre proud now sir
Welp. This woman did spend a few days in the county jail. However, throughout that time she had, and still does have a foster license. It was renewed for the 2013-14 year. I cannot believe the state of Minnesota is allowing her to continue ‘caring’ for children.