How Could You? Hall of Shame-Todd Harper

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 Artesia, New Mexico, “Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Raymond Romero sentenced 39-year-old [foster dad] Todd Harper to 15 years in prison, negating a no contest plea agreement with the defendant by the District Attorney’s Office. Judges are not required to follow the plea agreement.

Harper was charged with one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the second degree for a child under 13.

He pleaded no contest to the charge stemming from a 2013 investigation into allegations that he inappropriately touched the 7-year-old girl placed in his home by the state.

“Sparkle,” as the victim was dubbed by Guardians of the Children, an organization that advocates protections for children, to protect her identity, was placed in temporary foster care with Harper’s family in May 2013.

A spokesman for the Guardians of the Children said the sentence fit the “heinous crime.”

Harper’s sentence includes credit for 69 days of time served and parole following his release for five years to life. Harper will also be required to register as a sex offender.

According to the criminal complaint, the child told investigators that Harper had “tickled her where he wasn’t suppose to.”

The complaint states that when asked to explain, the girl reportedly told investigators that Harper had used his hand to touch her private parts underneath her clothes and in one instance had her touch his genitals.

When interviewed by investigators, Harper said “it was a one-time thing and that it was a mistake,” according to the complaint. Harper later told investigators this happened several times over the summer.

It’s a situation that the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families said is rare in New Mexico foster homes.

Public Information Office Henry Varela said that candidates for foster parents undergo extensive background checks and get home checks before having a child placed in their care.

“It is a very uncommon situation to see abuse and neglect in terms of foster parent to child,” Varela said.

In cases in which they do receive a report of abuse or neglect, Varela said children are immediately removed from the home and an investigation is initiated.”

Artesia foster parent sentenced to 15 years for molesting child in his care[Current Argus News 12/4/14 by Jessica Onsurez]

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