How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michelle Fausett 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 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, former DHS worker Michelle Fausett, 38, was fired after being accused of “stealing almost $3,700 from three disabled foster children.”

She is charged with “three felony counts of financial exploitation of a disabled child.”

She is accused of buying “video gaming systems, laptop computers, televisions and other things for the foster children, but never delivered them to the foster homes.

She may have taken some of the items to her own home, according to an investigative report.

She made the purchases from funds the three boys received from the federal government because they are disabled. ”

“One boy lost $972, another boy lost $1,446, and the third boy lost $1,247, prosecutors allege.”

“The state Department of Human Services fired Fausett Jan. 20 for dereliction of duty because shestopped coming to work, records show.

She had worked at the agency more than three years.

She turned in her DHS identification badge, cellphone and computer Dec. 7. She also brought in a used Xbox 360 video game console, used scooter and used bicycle helmet, records show.

Fausett acted after a co-worker confronted her Dec. 5 about why a foster child never got items purchased for him in August, records show.

Fausett was charged after DHS completed an internal investigation and sent the findings to prosecutors.

DHS “holds its employees to a very high standard because of the vulnerable people we serve,” DHS spokeswoman Sheree Powell said. “The financial exploitation of a foster
child is particularly disgraceful, and we will not tolerate any employee committing such an act.”
If convicted, Fausett faces up to 10 years in prison on each count and a $10,000 fine.

She had not been arrested by Friday afternoon. She could not be reached for comment.”

Fired Oklahoma DHS worker is accused of stealing from disabled foster children
[The Oklahoman 3/10/12 by Nolan Clay]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Why is taxpayer money paying for electronics, anyway? It seems like the only issue is that the electronics weren’t delivered, not that anyone felt these items were an inappropriate use of funds. It took from August to December to figure this out? Pathetic!

Update: A search of Oklahoma public court records reveals that she was arrested, had $12,000 bond set and bonded out on May 29, 2012.

She had three court appearances in 2012. Her pretrial hearing is set for January 29, 2013.

Update 2: She was Found Guilty of 3 counts of FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF A DISABLED CHILD BY A CARETAKER OR OTHER PERSON (ANC) on 4/3/13. Her Sentence was 5 years ” UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DA’S OFFICE EXCEPT THE FIRST 40 DAYS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNTY JAIL ON EACH COUNT. There was hearing to revoke THE REVO IS CONT TO 12-16-14.