How Could You? Hall of Shame-Joshua Matthews 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 Athol, Massachusetts, Joshua Matthews, 24, was convicted of two counts of forcible rape of a 7-year-old foster child who was living in his family’s home in 2007.

“Judge Mary Lou Rup decided Friday that she needed more information before sentencing a former Athol man convicted of forcible rape of a child.”

 

“[P]rosecuting attorney Carrie Russell read aloud from the victim’s impact statement, before requesting that the Matthews be sentenced to 15 to 25 years in state prison, with 10 years of probation after his release.

“I want him to go to jail for a very long time,” Russell said, reading from the victim’s statement. “I want nobody else to have to experience what happened to me, especially by him.”

Defense attorney Timothy Flynn countered, asking that any incarceration be imposed at the county jail level. His client, said Flynn, did not pose a risk to society, and had no other legal troubles besides a marijuana possession charge in 2007.

Matthews was ordered to be held at the Franklin County Jail, without bail, until his next sentencing hearing, on June 17.”

Sentencing delayed in Athol child rape case

[Recorder 4/12/13]

“Mary Carey, spokesperson for Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, says that the charges against Matthews were in connection with over two years of sexual abuse that he committed on a then 7-year-old foster child living in his home.

The boy, who is now 14, testified in court about the abuse.

Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Carrie Russell says, “It’s solely because of this child’s strength and resilience that we were able to bring this case to court and ultimately secure a conviction.””

“Matthews faces a possible life sentence.”

Man Sentenced for Raping Foster Child

[WGGB 4/11/13]

Possible life sentence for rape of 7 yr-old foster child

[WWLP 4/11/13 by Anthony Fay]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “A New Hampshire man convicted of sexually assaulting his 7-year-old foster brother while they lived in Massachusetts was sentenced Monday to up to 10 years in prison.

Joshua Matthews, 24, was also sentenced in Greenfield Superior Court to 10 years of probation upon release.

Matthews was convicted in April of two counts of forcible rape of a child, but acquitted of charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Matthews committed the crimes in 2007 while he was 17 or 18 and the victim was living as a foster child in Matthews’ home in Athol. Matthews most recently lived in Keene, New Hampshire

Assistant District Attorney Carrie Russell asked for a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison, according to The Recorder (http://bit.ly/18VOtsw). There were three aggravating factors in the case, including that the offenses were committed on a child at a vulnerable age, the assaults were repeated, and Matthews was a person in a position of trust as the victim’s older brother in the foster family, Russell said.

Matthews’ lawyer, Timothy Flynn, said his client maintains his innocence and said the victim was confusing the rapes with the incident that led to his placement in foster care in the first place. Flynn argued for a much lighter sentence.”

NH man sentenced for raping 7-year-old foster brother while family lived in Mass.

[The Republic 6/18/13 by Associated Press]