How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michael Terpening
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 Hastings, Michigan, “A verdict has come down today in the case of Michael Terpening, accused of sexually assaulting several teenage boys at a youth home called EARTH Services.
Terpening has been found guilty on eight charges, not guilty on four.
He was found guilty on one charge each of criminal sexual conduct 2nd and 3rd degree; three counts of criminal sexual conduct 4th degree, two counts of aggravated indecent exposure, and one count of attempt of criminal sexual conduct, 4th degree.
He was found not guilty of criminal sexual assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, as well as three related to an incident with Rodney Reames, who recanted his story surrounding Terpening.
Those three were one charge each of criminal sexual conduct 3rd degree, criminal sexual conduct 4th degree and aggravated indecent exposure.
Second and third degree criminal sexual conduct felonies carry sentencing of around 15 years, but specifics regarding the sentence won’t be until at least next week.
Thursday, Terpening took the stand to deny the claims of seven boys who say he assaulted them.
The case went to the jury Thursday afternoon, and deliberations continued well into Friday. [November 2, 2012]”
Terpening found guilty on eight counts in sex assault case
[WWMT 11/2/12]
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“The former director of a Barry County youth home is now facing two additional charges of criminal sexual conduct and a judge has increased his bond.
Michael Terpening, 32, of Bellevue, now faces 11 counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Terpening was arraigned on the new charges — two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct — Monday in Barry District Court after police discovered two additional victims, according to a news release from Michigan State Police.
Circuit Judge Amy McDowell increased Terpening’s bond to $300,000, the release said.
Terpening is scheduled to be back in court Sept. 12 for for a hearing on evidence against him in the case.
Terpening was arraigned in Barry County District Court last week on nine counts of criminal sexual conduct, all involving former residents of Earth Services Youth Home, the facility under his direction.
Terpening was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of aggravated indecent exposure and one count of assault to commit sexual penetration.
Christina Fecher, communications representative for the Michigan Department of Human Services, said the Department’s Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing is in the process of revoking the license for the facility, also known as the House Next Door.
The facility was licensed for boys only, ages 10 years – 17 years, many of the whom were wards of the court under DHS supervision, she said.
All children were removed from this facility once the allegations came under investigation, she said.
Terpening was the licensee designee of the corporation, Earth Services Inc., for this facility, which was originally issued a license in February 2009 for a capacity of 15 children. ”
[M Live 8/30/12 by Rosemary Parker]
The details of the complaint can be seen in this PDF.
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