How Could You? Hall of Shame-Great Circle Employee

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 Springfield, Missouri, “a youth program, and one of its employees, finds itself at the center of a police investigation.  An employee of Great Circle, formerly Boys and Girls Town, is accused of a sex crime against a teenager living there.
A Springfield Police report says a 28-year old employee is under investigation after being accused of having sex with a 16-year old resident of the facility.  The Great Circle campus, which includes housing units for long-term care of children and youth, is located on Lombard Street- off W. Grand Ave.

According to the report, the crime(s) occurred was between July 1, 2015, and August 29, 2015.  The report, which was made by another resident of the facility, was filed with police on August 29th.  According to the report, the person making the accusation stated, “a 16 year old resident was engaged in sexual activity with a 28-year old employee of the organization.”
Great Circle tells KY3 that it suspends employees, accused of crimes, while investigations are underway.

According to the statement from the organization, “Great Circle is committed to doing the right thing for children. While we cannot speak to the allegations, what we can do is assure everyone whenever we have an issue concerning a child we follow all processes and work with all regulatory and police agencies to help children and keep them safe, including suspension of those involved in the allegations.”
As of  Wednesday evening, no arrests have been made, and nobody is charged with any crime.

For decades, the Great Circle organization was known as Boys and Girls Town of Missouri.  According to a news release, the entity describes itself as, “an agency that provides a unique spectrum of behavioral health services to children and families. With specialized programs and highly-trained professionals, we provide hope to those in difficult circumstances throughout Missouri and beyond”

Great Circle provides assistance to youth and families at 14 facility locations around the state of Missouri.”

Police: Youth facility employee accused of having sex with teenage resident [Ky3 9/2/13 by Mike Landis]

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